Jump to content

VPN recommendations


mycox

Recommended Posts

I've recently started using Express VPN. So far easy to use and can have on multiple devices. I got it last week and manged to get in on the 15 month for the 12 month cost. You can select your country, some countries have different cities to pick from, US with 8, Canada 2, UK 3, Netherlands 2. I've only used several US cities, I'm in Austin area and it selects Dallas as a smart location.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

PIA: Private Internet Access

Not a problem, had it for years. 

 

ETA: you can pick whatrver country/city you want. Want a London IP for a bit? Connect to it, or any other you want. Servers all over the world, and a lot to choose from. 

Edited by thunderlounge
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 3/28/2018 at 10:04 AM, mycox said:

I need to get the Astros on MLB.TV.  I used unlocator the last couple of years, but it requires configuration on my PC or playstation.  I want something configured on my router.
 

Express VPN?

FYI, the mlb apps don’t like it when it detects you using vpn.  But I’ve never tried it on the router level. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First start here, make sure whoever you choose will keep you safe from lawsuit, not that they are going to go after you for wanting to watch some MLB.

https://torrentfreak.com/vpn-services-keep-anonymous-2018/

I'm currently trying Windscribe just because it was super cheap. Actually saw it on Slickdeals. I'm just using a windows app.

See if they support your router, or are you cool with flashing a firmware to your router.

https://windscribe.com/guides

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the advice. I wound up going with Private Internet Access.  It's only $40 for a year subscription

Express VPN worked on my PC, but I couldn't get it to work with my Samsung smart TV or Amazon Fire. I also couldn't get it to activate on my router. Too expensive for just a desktop app. Express VPN will change your location on both the TV and the Amazon Fire app, but MLB is pretty smart with the blackouts - most smart TVs and android devices use location services and GPS to determine your current location.

I wll try to get Private Internet Access working on my router if I get the time. I will just stream to Chromecast for now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
  • 5 years later...

necro bump

 

I don't know shit about fuck about VPN's.

In the last year, I switched my ISP from the cable company to T-Mobile.  It's a lot cheaper, and works just as well if not better. 

Since the MLB season started, I've been frustrated that the MLB network has blacked out all Angels and Dodgers games.  I called the MLB network, and they said it's because T mobile shows my location as Los Angeles (I'm close to San Diego). 

I called T mobile and they said that they can't do shit to fix it.  It connects where ever it connects.   The T mobile dude told me to get a VPN.   

This thread is old, so can somebody recommend a good, affordable VPN and explain to this idiot how to change my location to San Diego (or Wichita, or Amarillo, or wherever?   Wait, not Amarillo...I like porn.  

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have express vpn. I also have used Nord in the past. Both are fine. When you sign up for the service you will get a username and password. You will download the app to your device that you want to use and log in. You can select the suggested "smart location" or you can drill down and pick from a number of US or even foreign locations. Hit connect. You're in. 

I can't speak to all of the services where you might procure your sports subscriptions but I can confirm that if you were to purchase MLB Xtra innings or NBA League Pass via Amazon Prime, and you use the VPN before connecting, you can watch blacked out games. I fear that Amazon may be patching this (the smart ones prevent it by saying you are connected to a VPN. You can't access content until you are not connected to a VPN). I have received similar messaging a couple of times over the past 2 years, but it only lasts for a day or two and then I have no problems accessing stuff despite being connected to the VPN. It helps to know how to clear your data and cache for Prime.

Yes it can impact performance if you don't have a fast Internet connection. I do not have fiber here and I rarely have issues but there have been a few occasions where I have had buffering streams and disconnecting the VPN solved the issue. 

I should add that all of my experience is on a smart TVs/Amazon fire devices and maybe on a laptop. I don't know how it would work on a smart phone if your wireless connection is pinging off of a local tower. You may have to turn cellular off and strictly use WiFi. That's all I know, hope it is helpful.

  • Hook 'Em 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I travel abroad a lot and Nord works well for me, mostly. I still get blocked sometimes by Prime and other streaming services. I don't know if that's true of other VPNs as well.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Biggest issue I have with Nord is the occasional block when I am trying to catch a game (usually on ESPN+), and that's nothing that rebooting and reconnecting doesn't resolve 99% of the time. YTTV is a bit smarter about it in that they block most of my connections when I'm on VPN, but not always. No big deal when I'm trying to pull up something from the office when it's my weekend on-call since I can just pause the connection briefly and refresh, bigger deal when I'm traveling out of country and trying to watch something from whatever hotel. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

So, somebody please explain the mechanics.

 

I download the VPN to my laptop?   What about my smart TVs?  

I've used PIA and NordVPN.  I dropped PIA after some shady characters bought it.  I switched from NordVPN to ProtonVPN.  I've liked all three but decided to use Proton since I use their email service.  The speeds have all been relatively the same. 

I believe forcing smart TVs to use a VPN requires configuring it on a router.  https://protonvpn.com/support/installing-protonvpn-on-a-router/ 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

55 minutes ago, Gil Bang said:

So, somebody please explain the mechanics.

 

I download the VPN to my laptop?   What about my smart TVs?  

Read my post above. It couldn't be easier. You do not need to configure your smart tv in anyway. Just download and log in. 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...