How to watch Netflix in Australia

**admin** · 27-05-12, 11:45 AM

I thought I would post up an information/semi tutorial due to the amount of people that are not prepared to pay over $100 a month for Foxtel or $7 to hire a DVD yet have a broadband connection.

What is Netflix ? Wikipedia is probably worth a read as because we are in Australia, if you go to the Netflix website you will get a no access message. Due to copyright/licencing agreements, Netflix is not avilable in Australia. But there are ways around this.

First and foremost, Netflix needs to think you are in the US. To get around that part, we will need to use either a proxy or a VPN. Not technically proficient and it sounds too hard ? Its not, its pretty simple so read on.

for example, works well and offers a 1 week free trial. They have tutorials on their website for almost every device and all their service involves is using their DNS servers to stooge Netflix in to thinking you are in the US.

If you wish to use the service on your PC, simply follow the tutorial on their site for doing just that (after you have signed up for the free trial). Once you have done that, and checked that you are using their services via the box at the top of the page (right hand side), its time to head off to Netflix ( )

If you have done all the above, you will see the full Netflix site and you can then sign up for a free 1 month trial. To do this you will need a valid credit card. If you dont cancel the trial within 1 month, you will be billed the subscription price of $7.99 a month for unlimited access.

Simply sign up as normal, but you will need to put in a US postcode ( I used 90210 as it was the only US zip code I knew

). After signing up, you can now watch anything you like on the Netflix site.

Watching TV on a computer shits me to no end, some people can do it but I am not one of them. I have a 60 inch TV and thats where I want to watch TV.

I purchased a Western Digital TV Live streaming receiver from JB hi fi for $129. When I got home I plugged it in and there wasnt anything exciting, just youtube and facebook crap

. I then added unblock us's DNS addresses to my modems setting for my internet connection and rebooted the WD. (or you can do this for the device only in its settings)

US Image on box, Oz one doesnt have icons for US services such as Netflix.

On reboot it wanted to do a firmware upgrade which I allowed (you can also select it from the menu) and after completion of this process and auto reboots, a number of new services including Netflix were available. All thats then required is to select Netflix and follow the prompts for your account and password that you signed up to the trial with.

It is also worth nothing that a spokesman for the Australian Attorney General has stated that it is NOT illegal for Australians to access US based services. It is however a breach of the providers terms of use and at worst all they could do is cancel your account. You will need a broadband service to stream from Netflix, I am on a Telstra 8MB ADSL connection that connects at about 6MB and I have no problems accessing HD content.
Your Netflicks account has options for 3 different video quality settings, from 300 meg an hour, 700 meg an hour or 1 gig an hour.

* All information posted is something I have actually done myself otherwise I wouldnt post it. WD receiver and unblock-us are not the only services that work, but they are ones I have actually tested and represent good value for money.

Receiver : $129
Unblockus $4.99 a month
Netflix $7.99 a month

Ongoing $13 a month for unlimited TV (plus your ISP costs)

**admin** · 27-05-12, 05:16 PM

I cant believe how good HD is on this......as I am stuck on ADSL1 on a rim I wasnt expecting much. I am currently watching a ZZ Top concert that is in HD and I would rate the quality as good as what I get on a Foxtel HD channel (on a 60 inch plasma)

I checked yesterdays usage on my ADSL and I used about 8 gig for the day. Its a fair bit, but I was watching TV all day and until evening until around 10.30. So realistically its not too bad.

If you are a real TV head, you will need to calculate your usage. At 6 hours a day, thats 42 gig a week so you would need broadband with 200 gig a month. Luckily for me thats exactly what I do have, I upgraded a while ago as my kids were burning my allowance up. One has since left home, so I have been paying for plenty I dont use.

I cant give you a screen shot of how good it looks, apart from a couple of images taken on my Samsung Galaxy Tablet's 3MP camera.

Note : Any images posted are of me taking a photo of my television with a 3MP camera ! I am hoping it will show some of the picture clarity with out looking too shitty because of the 3 MP camera.

**admin** · 27-05-12, 05:21 PM

**admin** · 27-05-12, 05:26 PM

**gulliver** · 27-05-12, 05:45 PM

Couldn;t one use a laptop connected to the TV via PC input on the TV?
Or what I use for wwiTV using the Kogan Internet Box with WiFi on my TV

**admin** · 27-05-12, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by gulliver

Couldn;t one use a laptop connected to the TV via PC input on the TV?

Yes, you could use your laptop connected to your TV. I had mine connected via HDMI, but for $129 the WD Live box is a better (and more permanent)solution.

But computer is worth doing as a starting point to see what its all about. You'll see what I mean

**admin** · 27-05-12, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by gulliver

Or what I use for wwiTV using the Kogan Internet Box with WiFi on my TV

I had a bit of a Google but I am not sure this device can do it......unless there is some Netflix android app available in the market place ? Might be worth a look.

**Fernbay** · 27-05-12, 06:23 PM

What about with multiple connections from multiple devices? Can you use the same account more than once at the same time?

**gulliver** · 27-05-12, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by Sanity

I had a bit of a Google but I am not sure this device can do it......unless there is some Netflix android app available in the market place ? Might be worth a look.

The box has a browser so you can connect to the internet.
I'll search for Netflix.
I noticed different boxes/phones etc have a different market.Not all apps are available on different machines.

**nbound** · 27-05-12, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by gulliver

I noticed different boxes/phones etc have a different market.Not all apps are available on different machines.

It depends on the Android version installed, and probably on the specs of your unit too.

**gulliver** · 27-05-12, 06:41 PM

Yes it's available on the market "Netflix Top Rated Movies"

**phoenix** · 27-05-12, 07:42 PM

Is there a list of shows that you can view on NetFlix?

**admin** · 27-05-12, 07:59 PM

Phoenix ,there is a search box via the WD and it lists what you have watched and gives you suggestions based on your viewing choices. Via their web page it is easier to search categories.

Fernbay, not sure on the multiple connections will give it a try when I have time.

**nbound** · 27-05-12, 08:05 PM

I think he just wants to know whats available as far as TV series go. (I certainly do - *cough* Game of Thrones? *cough*)

**phoenix** · 27-05-12, 09:09 PM

Nice thought Sanity, IF you could get to the web page LOL..... I'd join Unblockus but it appeared that you have to give you financials first before you get the free month, just hate having to do that...

nbound that's exactly what I need it for.... Then I won't have to download all that 'Stuff' for the wifey....

**weirdo** · 27-05-12, 11:21 PM

Originally Posted by Fernbay

What about with multiple connections from multiple devices? Can you use the same account more than once at the same time?

No problem if it's in the same household (same IP address)
Got 3 Apple TV 2's running here.
For those that are too stingy or tight arsed to subscribe to Netflix, try XBMC, Navi X, Icefilms or 1Channel. Some are hit and miss or slow to buffer but it's free.
In my opinion the Netflix option is awesome though just for it's performance and ease of use.
Here's a selection phoenix
What shows are you after? I can check for you.

**crazy** · 28-05-12, 12:58 AM

is a free alternative to unblock-us
i haven't tried it, so if anyone else has, let us know.

**cmatten** · 30-05-12, 12:23 AM

Signed up using the method Sanity suggested.

Watched a movie on my laptop using the default Netflix settings.

2Mbps -> 1G Byte per hour Picture quality was good.

Changed to HD
5Mbps -> 2.25G Bytes per hour. It didn't work very will on my RIM based ADSL1+

**admin** · 30-05-12, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by cmatten

Changed to HD
5Mbps -> 2.25G Bytes per hour. It didn't work very will on my RIM based ADSL1+

How long did you let it run ?

When it starts, its starts in poor quality and makes a gradual switch to HD after about 2 minutes or so.

Thats also based on my rim based ADSL1 service. But obviously its going to be different for each individual thats on a RIM due to shared bandwidth. But I thought I would mention it just in case

**mandc** · 30-05-12, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by phoenix

Nice thought Sanity, IF you could get to the web page LOL..... I'd join Unblockus but it appeared that you have to give you financials first before you get the free month, just hate having to do that...

nbound that's exactly what I need it for.... Then I won't have to download all that 'Stuff' for the wifey....

When recently in China, Sanity told me about ultrasurf

a proxy server that circumvents the firewall over there...It will also allow access to netflix to see what's on offer using weirdo's link...I just tried it and it works a treat
is the latest version of ultrasurf (u1104.zip)....ps...it's free