What does a VPN do to unblock media?
Unlock worldwide access to Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu and more!
The way we consume media has changed dramatically over the past decade, and now more than ever the world has taken to the internet to access the latest films, TV and Music. As more and more international content is now released online months or even years before being broadcast on more traditional channels in the UK, we have much less patience for waiting around to see the latest shows.However, with the rise of subscription sites like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu and many others, we've also seen the phenomenon of geo-locked content on the rise. Too often we'll see that new shows getting great reviews are available only on the USA version of the Netflix site, and the same goes across the board. Similarly, UK sites like BBC iPlayer, which we already pay for through license fees, are blocked when we travel abroad.
ConnectWorld-Wide
Use servers around the world to access geo-blocked local content.
AccessSmart DNS
Leverage Smart DNS technology to unblock popular media.
StreamAccross Devices
Stream film, music and TV on computer, tablet, SmartTV and more.
The answer? Get a VPN!When you connect through a VPN, you'll have the choice to route your connection through servers in locations around the world. Need access to Netflix USA? - simply log on to a US server. Want to watch the latest Bollywood smash? - there's a server in Mumbai with your name on it!Many VPN providers also offer a system known as SmartDNS, either included with a standard package, or as an optional add-on. Smart DNS works in a similar way by fooling media sites' servers into thinking you are in a different location. Unlike VPN connections, smartDNS does not hide your IP or encrypt your connection, however if security is not a big concern this is an ideal choice. Smart DNS tends to work on a huge range of devices and can often offer faster streaming speeds - no more buffering!Finally, there is the issue of ISP bandwidth-throttling. Streaming video or music can use a great deal of bandwidth, especially if you want the crispest HD content. Because of this, many ISPs employ bandwidth-throttling - they detect when you are accessing streaming sites, and at busy times they may squeeze your bandwidth, slowing down your connection. With a VPN, this problem is instantly overcome. Since a VPN connection is encrypted, your ISP can't see detect which sites you're visiting, so bandwidth-throttling can't be employed against you.
Why should I try a VPN?
Unblock TV and Music streaming while staying safe and secure.
There's no frustration quite like getting excited to binge-watch the latest TV series online, only to have the ending ruined by spoilers on Twitter. When some countries get access to shows on Netflix, Amazon Video and others months ahead of the UK, it's bound to happen.Similarly, it's no fun travelling abroad only to find your access to BBC iPlayer or 4OD is blocked - you pay your license fee so why shouldn't you be able to access their content wherever you are?
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These annoyances become a thing of the past when you sign up for a VPN. By connecting to secure servers worldwide, you can fool media sites into thinking you're in any country you choose, effectively unblocking any geo-locked content you want.
Even the likes of Spotify and YouTube are increasingly making certain content location-specific, so for any true film, TV and music addict a VPN is becoming an essential addition to your internet package!You may well have seen recent news articles about the likes of Netflix and BBC iPlayer 'cracking down' on VPN users. These stories are nothing new - content providers have been saying this for years - but as yet their efforts to penalise VPN users have not yielded real results.
Which VPN is best for Streaming?
How to choose the right VPN to access TV, Films and Music
Picking the best VPN for excellent streaming isn't always straightforward. Which provider you choose should depend on your particular requirements. There are a lot of features to look out for, and if you're not looking for a VPN primarily for added security, then choosing a provider with a SmartDNS offering is something to really consider.However, assuming you want a well-rounded VPN service that will get you access to the most content at the best speeds, the three questions below are the key to finding a quality VPN provider to suit you.
Where are this VPN's servers located?
It might go without saying, but the biggest key to unblocking content sites around the world is the locations of servers offered by your VPN service. If your biggest concern is getting access to Netflix USA or other Stateside sites, then you'll need to pick a VPN with plenty of servers based in America. Likewise, if you want to be able to acces BBC iPlayer, 4OD and other UK providers when you're travelling abroad, you need to make sure your VPN has a selection of British servers to choose from.It's worth noting that not just the locations, but also how many servers are offered can be worth considering. To ensure good service at all times, you'll want to have multiple servers in each country so that if one goes down or gets flooded with traffic, you can simply hop over to another.
Which devices is this VPN compatible with?
Watching movies online has its drawbacks. Why would you want to huddle over a tiny laptop or tablet screen, with poor quality audio, when you've payed top dollar for a home cinema with the best surround-sound?Luckily, many VPN providers support installation on routers and smartTVs - making it relatively easy to hook up your flatscreen. However some devices (particularly older SmartTV models) have the functionality to use a VPN. It's essential to check this before buying.The good news is that even if your VPN isn't compatible with your TV, many offer SmartDNS packages - just as effective at unblocking media streaming sites (though less secure than VPN connection). The big benefit here is that smartDNS is compatible with a larger range of devices than most VPNs - definitely something to look into.
Does this VPN cap bandwidth or data-transfer?
This is a big one for any heavy user of streaming sites. Streaming video uses a lot of bandwidth - especially if you want to access HD content. A single HD film can be over 5GB of data, so streaming it requires a good connection speed if you want to avoid the dreaded 'buffering'.Luckily, the majority of providers don't limit bandwidth or data allowance these days (at least that's what they say... in practice there are often 'fair-usage' caps, but these tend to be large enough that you'd never notice). However there are a few providers that will cap data, so if you're a heavy-duty user this is something to check and factor into your decision.
Focussing on these key features will make sure you find the most suitable VPN for your streaming requirements. For more information about other general features worth checking, see our
Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing a VPN.