US ATV to UK (Netflix & Power)

[tekilla]

Hi,

Quick question - I had a hunt around the forum but couldn't find a definitive answer, so here goes...

If I buy a US ATV then take it back to the UK with me, will my Netflix account still work?

If so, what would need to be done in terms of power/PSU?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[RealEvil]

No issue with the power-simply purchase a new power lead with uk plug or use an adaptor (apple tv works with 240v no problem).

Unfortunately netflix will be much harder as its a US only service that checks your IP address is in the US. You will need to purchase a VPN subscription to access a NY server. I have this exact setup and it's not easy/cheap. I have a VPN account with Strong VPN and a DD-WRT enabled router running the VPN client software. Any device I connect to this router thinks its in the US. I have a 50Mb broadband connection but the VPN is much slower - I get around 5Mb according to my Roku...

It's not cheap or easy - $60 for the VPN, £85 for a decent router that's fast enough to give you 5Mb AND the netflix subscription. To make it worth your while, also sign up to Hulu Plus before you leave the US as its virtually impossible to get them to recognise a non-US credit card for the sign up process.


Neil

 

[tekilla]

Thanks very much Neil - I was thinking Netflix would check IP's much the same as I can't currently get certain aspects of iPlayer/4OD etc to work out here (FL). I don't think I'd see the benefit of it, so will just get a UK model when I'm back in the country and pray LoveFilm start offering a streaming service.

Cheers.

 

[tiptopp]

...so will just get a UK model when I'm back in the country and pray LoveFilm start offering a streaming service.

Cheers.

No need to wait til you're back in the UK. I bought an Apple TV from the States, and my brother brought it over for me. I saved £35 this way, and the only downside is that it has to be plugged into a USA to UK adaptor.

For me, until iOS5 is out and I can mirror via the ATV, it's only worth £66, and not the £101 that it actually costs...

(I tried to do the same with the iPad2 on the day it was launched in the States. Unfortunately it arrived at my brother's work the day after he came to the UK, so I had to pay shipping. Still got it quicker than if I had bought it here, but only saved about £10 in the end!).

Tiptopp