NOW TV Smart DNS block INSIDE the UK!

[BicBasher]

I had numerous problems today signing into external devices today includng Android/Chromecast and figured out the issue.

NOW TV is blocking access to Smart DNS Proxy users, which I had the DNS numbers set at router level.   However as I live in the UK and have legitimate passes, I was being penalised for those who illegally watch NOW TV abroad. 

So I had to use a workaround, by using the ISP's DNS servers at router level, so that NOW TV using my phone/Now TV box via wifi see the UK DNS, while the PC and smart tv see the Smart DNS, although it means I can't use the LG TV app at the moment.

It seems with the crackdown on using Smart DNS providers from Netflix, Sky/Now TV are doing the same, which is within their right, but also blocking British customers who also use those providers.

[Anonymous User]

For as long as I've know people with active proxies have had issues with NOW TV. Either the proxy routes them to a CDN too far away causing poor bitrates or alarm bells ring at Sky's end and they block you themselves. 

[BicBasher]

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@Anonymous User wrote:

For as long as I've know people with active proxies have had issues with NOW TV. Either the proxy routes them to a CDN too far away causing poor bitrates or alarm bells ring at Sky's end and they block you themselves. 

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Hi @Anonymous User

This was the first time I've had problems with NOW TV while using a Smart DNS provider.  Even more surprising for me at least was that while I could get the Android app to bring up the cast screen on Chromecast, that was it, the Android devices either showed network connectivity problems or the wrong password.  Incidentally it worked still through the NOW TV Box and the PC throughout the issues I had while using the DNS.

These providers sell their product on the premise that while using UK services, British providers such as NOW TV should see that I'm still in the UK and not using a data centre somewhere abroad.

[Anonymous User]

@BicBasher I can see where you're coming from, but the difficulty is in distinguishing between people in the UK or abroad if the setup they're all using is pretty much the same.

Because of our agreements with content providers, we have to put those restrictions in place. If we didn't, we wouldn't be able to get the great shows and movies that we do.

Hopefully you figure out a permanent way around it that gets everything working 🙂

Tom

[BicBasher]

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@Anonymous User wrote:

@BicBasher I can see where you're coming from, but the difficulty is in distinguishing between people in the UK or abroad if the setup they're all using is pretty much the same.

Because of our agreements with content providers, we have to put those restrictions in place. If we didn't, we wouldn't be able to get the great shows and movies that we do.

Hopefully you figure out a permanent way around it that gets everything working 🙂

Tom

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Hi @Anonymous User

The workaround I have works well.   We've moved a long way from the days when NOW TV would buffer at every whim over wifi, so happy to use Chromecast or the NOW TV box to watch.

As for the reasons why I use a proxy, it's mainly for watching French tv services as I live in a bi-lingual household.  Watching TF1 or France 2 is as important here as watching Sky Atlantic or Sky Movies through NOW TV.

[Anonymous User]

Can I use googles open dns  or will now to block my programs.

[commanda6]

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@Anonymous User wrote:

Can I use googles open dns  or will now to block my programs.

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Hi @Anonymous User

Yep, you can use Google's DNS servers. I use Google's DNS servers and I've never had a problem

From memory, Google's DNS servers are

8.8.8.8
8.8.4.4

[SeeMoreDigital]

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@Anonymous User wrote:

Can I use googles open dns  or will now to block my programs.

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I guess it depends on whether you're located inside or outside the UK.

If you're located outside the UK, NOW TV are under no obligation to support you and will (most probably) use every method at their disposal to prevent you from gaining access to their content. Including discussing such issues on this forum... 

Cheers

[commanda6]

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@SeeMoreDigital wrote:

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@Anonymous User wrote:

Can I use googles open dns  or will now to block my programs.

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I guess it depends on whether you're located inside or outside the UK.

If you're located outside the UK, NOW TV are under no obligation to support you and will (most probably) use every method at their disposal to prevent you from gaining access to their content. Including discussing such issues on this forum... 

Cheers

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good point @SeeMoreDigital

@Anonymous User I forgot to ask if you are located in the UK? But you can use Google's DNS servers. If you're located in the UK. In fact, I would actually recommend people do so and I have seen NowTV recommend their use on occasion when people have connectivity problems is Google's DNS servers are pretty much the best there is.

[Anonymous User]

Why would you want to use a DNS Smart Provider in the UK anyway?

[Anonymous User]

@Anonymous User Welcome to forums

People use them to view content from other countries.

For example NETFLIX USA has far better content than NETFLIX UK

Netflix are clamping down on this and PayPal has recently stopped making payments to UnoTelly who provided such a service.

[commanda6]

Hi @BicBasher

In my household, we use Google (UKs) DNS servers. In fact, Google's DNS servers top list of the best DNS servers to use use in the UK. Have a look at the link below. I've never been Geo blocked by nowTV 

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/networks/1404176/best-dns-servers-in-the-uk

to be specific. We have four DNS servers listed in order of preference in our routers settings. The first two are Google's the last two of virgin media's. So devices on DHCP will try and use Google's DNS servers first. Devices on static/fixed IP are set to use Google DNS servers.

Our brute it is a bit cleverer than most because it's a custom-built one with PF sense installed 

[dr_necessitor]

I can also recommend using OpenDNS as an alternative to using an ISP's DNS servers.

[commanda6]

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@commanda6 wrote:

Hi @BicBasher

Our brute it is a bit cleverer than most because it's a custom-built one with PF sense installed 

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Hi @BicBasher

Oh dear, that was supposed to say our router is a bit cleverer than most. But instead you ended up with the double Dutch version  that can sometimes happen when you need to use dictation software to write posts.

I do apologise

[Anonymous User]

NOW is even blocking access to the site itself, which stops legitimate users of the service from managing their account.

Very poor show, NOW.