Switch your Samsung Smart TV to UK region

Ironworks · April 24, 2016, 17:12:38 PM

Here's a pic of my Samsung telly (purchased last year here in Fuerte from Electron) taken a minute ago - live from Corralejo - hacked easily to switch it to UK, with included FREE Apps shown left to right; BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5, Filmon - live TV and catchup all for free. Also available is Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, etc.

Total cost if you have a similar Samsung telly, â,¬2 monthly for the Getflix DNS to trick the streams into thinking you are in Blighty.

The Samsung telly region switch is a 2 min job, easy as pie. Instructions:
https://www.cactusvpn.com/tutorials/how-to-change-region-on-samsung-smart-tv-h-series/

Getflix DNS (to pretend you are in UK) subscription can be under Â£2 monthly. http://www.getflix.com.au/pricing - they've also got a 14-day free trial to give it a bash risk free.

Is there a similar Region Hack for your web-enabled smart telly? Ask Google.

Ironworks · April 25, 2016, 12:13:12 PM

Just done same trick on bedroom telly, a newer J-series Samsung, following these slightly different instructions...

http://www.eyeondemand.com/2015/08/26/how-to-changing-your-samsung-j-series-2015-tvblu-ray-country-app-store/

Ernie · April 25, 2016, 17:52:22 PM

A genuine question. Can you please explain why you are doing this ?

I use FilmOn on my tablet with a long HDMI lead up to my LG Smart TV. I could use the FilmOn app on the TV itself but find my way to be more reliable.

I've never tried to use any other catch up or streaming apps on my TV as live freeview TV via FilmOn is enough for me, but I guess I assumed that all such apps would work okay ? Is this a misplaced belief, so that doing your switch is necessary for these installed catch up apps to work ? Certainly FilmOn doesn't require any such efforts so it must be the catch up stuff that requires all this hacking ?

Why are people going above and beyond simply using FilmOn either on the TV itself or beamed/cabled up from a tablet ? A totally genuine question I promise.

Ernie

Ironworks · April 25, 2016, 22:31:35 PM

Ernie, my first 'UK TV' system when I moved here was FilmOn on my iPhone streaming via AirPlay to my AppleTV box which was connected by HDMI to my telly.

So modem, iPhone, AppleTV box and telly - 4 devices, 3 of them communicating wirelessly.

On top of that you've got my Mrs wirelessly connected to the house network with laptop, iPhone and tablet, 2 x kids with phones, laptops, wireless speakers etc, a wireless radio in the kitchen, and any number of friends and family turning up with armfuls of gadgets, who announce their arrival with the inevitable phrase "What's your WiFi password?"

Probably not surprising then - given the volume of microwaves constantly being beamed around my house, that my network was unreliable, the modem was prone to locking, and FilmOn was constantly buffering.

From then I've had a preference for fewer devices in my TV setup, and connected by wire rather than wireless.

So TV connected directly to modem with a single Cat5 cable just seems likes an easy option that keeps everything as simple (and hopefully reliable) as possible.

Also, wired connections take precedence over wireless, so even with a houseful of WiFi bandwidth thieves, my hard-wired TV now tends to soldier on regardless.

Hope that makes sense.

Part 2. Why not just FilmOn?
For me it was a case of first experience being negative - see above re FilmOn buffering - and following the similar ethos of 'fewer connections = reliability', then I'd rather get my signal for BBC from the BBC server, the ITV signal from the ITV server etc - no proof of any tangible gain, but it seems logical to me.

Plus you gets grundles of catch-up using the broadcasters own Apps - my Mrs joyfully informed me yesterday that we now have 8 seasons of "First Dates" to watch. For that reason alone I might tell her it's all broken again and we can now stream nothing but Match of the Day and Snooker.

To get it working on your own SmartTV, you'll need a DNS to trick these streams into thinking you're in the UK - FilmOn doesn't need this, so scores bonus points there.

But yes, your system sounds perfectly fine to me; wireless from modem to tablet, wired to TV, FilmOn that needs no DNS. It's as good a free solution as most people would ever need.

keithtx · April 26, 2016, 07:10:02 AM

Very interesting post! How do you get Getflix DNS to work on the tv. Do you download an app on the tv?

Thanks....

Ernie · April 26, 2016, 09:20:43 AM

Hi Iron,

Great post. Thanks.

My setup consists of WiFi to tablet plus FilmOn and then HDMI from tablet to Smart TV. In addition we might have two further tablets connected to WiFi doing the standard Internet surfing with possibly some YouTube streaming. That's all.

So we are hardly heavy users but that said we do occasionally get the modem locking for a minute or two when the FilmOn tablet is conflicting with the other tablets. Perhaps I should consider hard wiring the modem to the tv and using the smart remote to avoid such wireless conflicts with other tablets and modem locking ? It's not too bad though.

I suppose that as long as FilmOn continues then we are fine but if it ever stops then we would need to adopt your strategy of relying on the BBC and ITV servers themselves and then we would need your hack for our LG tv as I hadn't realised that these apps only work in the UK.

A really dumb question. I guess these BBC, ITV and Channel 4 apps show live tv in addition to catch up ? We are really of the frame of mind that if we miss something then so-be-it so catch up isn't important whereas live freeview tv is important to us (read "her") mainly for the news, moronic soaps, Phil & Kirsty and the 9 o'clock dramas.

Thanks for explaining things and clarifying the situation.

Ernie

Ironworks · April 26, 2016, 13:20:17 PM

Quote from: keithtx on April 26, 2016, 07:10:02 AM
Very interesting post! How do you get Getflix DNS to work on the tv. Do you download an app on the tv?

Glad to be of service, I got all my info from others sharing, so it seems only fair to pass what I've learned on to others.

Samsung telly allows you to easily change DNS settings in the Network area of the telly menu. Very straightforward.

Similar easy process for any other devices such as phones, tablets.

However, for long-term ease, I changed the DNS settings directly on my modem, which means every single device connected to my network, now or in the future, is already on the Getflix DNS by default.

Ironworks · April 26, 2016, 13:25:16 PM

Quote from: Ernie on April 26, 2016, 09:20:43 AM
A really dumb question. I guess these BBC, ITV and Channel 4 apps show live tv in addition to catch up?

Not a dumb question at all, if you haven't used them before then you can't be expected to know.

Yes, most have live or at very least catchup for viewing at your convenience.

Beauty of catch-up is that we are no longer slaves to the TV schedule. On the beach or at the shops when my programme is on? No problem, I can relax, enjoy myself, knowing the TV will be there when I've finished soaking up the sun and the numerous other benefits that this beautiful island has to offer.

I typically watch Match of the Day during the week for example, at a time of my choosing, not on Saturday night when I'm out, or at 7AM or whatever ungodly hour it is that the BBC re-broadcast it Sunday AM).

keithtx · April 27, 2016, 09:00:48 AM

Thanks for all the very helpful info Iron. Can you just explain how a DNS is set up pl. Seems you set up an account with Getflux and then input the DNS setting from Getflix into your device (ie the numbers with dots). How do you then change the location to say the uk to get iplayer or say the us to get programmes from there? Does Getfkix provide different settings for different countries that you wish to stream programmes from?

Ironworks · April 27, 2016, 09:26:01 AM

Once registered you login on their website or iOS App, and use that to manage your settings and switch regions.

They've got a no-strings 14-day trial, so you could register any time you want and have a fiddle around with it.

You first choose the DNS numbers you want to use:
http://www.getflix.com.au/setup/overview

There's also device specific instructions on left side of that page.

And some more detailed info on their support pages:
https://getflix.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb

It's not complicated - it's a sort of set and forget thing, and once configured it then just works seamlessly in the background.

Stranger Times · September 16, 2016, 10:36:04 AM

Thanks Ironworks been reading everything and not understanding a great deal but its been a pleasure to grasp the basics.

Regards
ST

MandK · September 16, 2016, 10:42:16 AM

Great reading , thanks for the info

would be easy but my smart tvs are Sony and LG...

woe10 · September 16, 2016, 12:56:41 PM

The MOBDRO app for Android is much more reliable than FilmOn. Plus includes all Sky Sports, BT Sports, Sky News, and much more. Don't get me wrong, I use FilmOn a lot as it's connect to FTV Guide, but when it gets overloaded, ( unless you're lucky enough to have fast landline internet connection ) I switch over to Mobdro, then there's no buffering.

All Catch-Ups for Corrie, Emmerdale, Eastenders, and every Netflix Series can be found for FREE in the Exodus App. Go into /TV Shows/Networks/ ITV, BBC, Netflix etc ... No VPN required.

You can get a decent VPN for â,¬4.99 / month for ITV Hub etc, I use TunnelBear. Perfect.

tigga1958 · September 23, 2016, 11:03:13 AM

Just changed my smart Samsung to UK hub, thanks for the info.

Is there a program that you can install direct to TV to watch UK TV?

Windermeregolfer · September 23, 2016, 15:47:37 PM

Quote from: tigga1958 on September 23, 2016, 11:03:13 AM
Just changed my smart Samsung to UK hub, thanks for the info.

Is there a program that you can install direct to TV to watch UK TV?

Also can you do this to an LG TV?

Mr G · October 16, 2016, 11:48:35 AM

Hi Ironworks.
Just bought a Samsung Smart TV, changed location so I now have English I player apps, but can't find the Filmon app. Or Mobdro app.
Where and how do I put them on My Apps? Or do you watch them via another method.
Currently using an Android Box to view both Apps,
but was hoping to ditch that box and just use one remote.
Many thanks for all your info on this topic!

Globetrotter · October 17, 2016, 13:20:09 PM

Quote from: Mr G on October 16, 2016, 11:48:35 AM
Hi Ironworks.
Just bought a Samsung Smart TV, changed location so I now have English I player apps, but can't find the Filmon app. Or Mobdro app.
Where and how do I put them on My Apps? Or do you watch them via another method.
Currently using an Android Box to view both Apps,
but was hoping to ditch that box and just use one remote.
Many thanks for all your info on this topic!

I have a Samsung Smart TV bought this year and have installed the FilmOn App from the store but it is flawed, just plays about 30 secs then goes off with an error message, if you Google it they state the App is not fully developed so no guarantee it will work something to do with it starts up in high definition and of course you only get a few seconds to view free and no way of changing it.
The Modbro you wont get as it is unofficial.

Canary dweller · October 23, 2016, 21:29:36 PM

Hi ironworks
Thanks for pointing me to getflix.
I have used myexpatnet vpn for the past 3 years,but just lately when connecting to myexpatnet,the speed drops to a quarter; ie from 8 Mbps to 2 Mbps, with all the resultant buffering, always at a most important part of the programme I'm trying to watch!!
With getflix it remains the same, at 8 Mbps., and I can watch the Beeb etc no trouble.
I will now dump myexpatnet at 7 pounds per month, for getflix that costs 3.95 dollars per month (about Â£3.25 per month).
So,thanks again for your excellent advice above.

Archer · October 23, 2016, 21:38:28 PM

Getflix. Wait. Don't agree to pay immediately - signup to the free trial first, then after a week they give you a 'halfprice' offer code to tempt you in! So, Â£1.60 per month, even better.

woe10 · October 25, 2016, 16:18:02 PM

Why pay for a subscription when there are plenty of movie apps for KODI that have all the latest movies for FREE.
My missus just whatched "Bridget Jones's Baby", didn't cost a thing.

ITV Hub with VPN for all catchups.

MalT · November 17, 2016, 13:03:58 PM

Having one delivered on Friday and will go through movie star, fingers crossed!!

MalT · November 20, 2016, 10:38:50 AM

Right, got Samsung from store in Corralejo, awaiting 'wi fi' and phone line from movie star, also inapartment block with no satilite, Cani still follow instructions successfully? Notice you. We'd a four digit passcode, is tbis 0000? Thx

Pandali · November 25, 2016, 11:07:05 AM

Set my Samsung TV to UK settings this morning using 0000 as pass code.

Ironworks · February 01, 2017, 15:41:02 PM

Hi all

Firstly apologies for the eternity since i last posted.

Glad to see a few people have got this sorted. Note that things do change, so there is no guarantee that a Samsung TV bought in the future will be able to to be region unlocked. Buyer beware etc,.

Here's a few other answers/updates...

1. I don't frequent these forums, it has been months since I last logged on, so sorry if questions go unanswered - i'm not being rude or evasive, i'm just being elsewhere enjoying island life.

2. I don't do this as a business, i simply share the useful info i find in here so others might benefit.

3. Sorry, but I DO NOT offer a service where i come to your villa and set up your TV in exchange for cash, wine or sexual favours.

4. Just as an FYI, my current TV system of choice remains unlocked Samsung telly, VPN, and more recently an Amazon Firestick running sideloaded KODI 17 with the Exodus (Movies n Box Set TV) and Phoenix (Live UK TV) plugins.

Good luck with your telly adventures - as with all things, Google is your friend, as pretty much all human knowledge can be found online.