Hi all,

So I am thinking about buying Apple TV for the variety of English programs, and other things that the TV box offers, but I am wondering if the Netflix subscription will still work, even though the TV will be loacted here in Switzerland... I know when I wanted to rent a movie via download/stream from Netflix it wouldn't let me because I was out of the US. I didn't know if Apple TV would be something different... Does anyone know? Any and all advise/knowledge would be helpful.

Thanks

no, they can tell from the IP that you are outside the US and wont allow streaming. :-(

Why didn't they call it iTV? That could keep the lawyers busy

They tried to: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles...orld_expo.html

an they're still trying: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20...l?tag=mncol;9n

Slightly off topic . . .

I can access the Canadian iTunes stores from Switz. Not Netflix, which I hear is a great service, but I'm told I get a much better selection of media than the Swiss iTunes store.

It is like buying ebooks or streaming (legal) on internet for example or some video games on Playstation store for the PS3: they control intellectual properties/distribution rights by area in the world by detecting your IP, requesting country specific credit card to be able to buy...What they use also in 'real life' by 'zoning' DVDs/Blue-Ray for example.

R.

In order to use Netflix you need a subscription with a U.S. based VPN provider (and probably some router configuration skills). Fortunately, the U.S. iTunes store doesn't apply such restrictions (yet!) so anyone can buy a handful of gift cards at Duane Reade and redeem them to her/his account. I just got a brand new Apple TV 2 and it works great renting movies and TV shows using those gift cards in Switzerland.

My opinion on the topic: if they don't want to sell the stuff to us, why should we bother buying it? Rapidshare is your friend - completely legal in Switzerland.

Peter

I think if you use a proxy service that shows a US IP address, it will not be a problem to use NetFlix with 2nd Gen AppleTV. I am currently using the 1st generation AppleTV and it is no problem with a US credit card. But it does not stream NetFlix.

Hoping to use NetFlix with my Wii when I return to CH next week.

fduvall

Anyone from the US have any recent experience with Netfilx and Wii?

I have a European Wii and a US Netflix account. I brought the Wii disc back with me from California, and it cannot be read by my Wii. Wondering if it is a problem with the format of the Wii/NetFlix disc, or an issue with the fact that my ISP is from Europe.

There must be a workaround to make this work in CH...

Any ideas?

I think this has to do with the Wii itself - I brought my US Wii to Switzerland and the discs I buy here don't seem to work. It seems they have regional locks on the discs, although I'm sure there are ways around it.

You can use a VPN service/software to block the ip address of your computer (or appear to be in the US) so Netflix will work from a computer. However with the Apple TV (and the Wii) you can't run the VPN software on it and it directly connects to your router. You need a router that handles the VPN directly but this is not a function available on a typical 'home' router.

Dan

Hi Dan - Can you recommend a good IP address blocker? I've tried a few I found through Google searches and haven't had any luck yet. Thanks!!

A lot of people use Hotspot shield. However companies are getting smarter and even blocking those services. If you know someone in the US, you can also 'proxy' or ssh to their computer and then connect. That also works, usually, but it can slow things down.

As for the Apple TV I think you can also get VPN working on it if you use software to 'hack' it. I have this one:
http://firecore.com/atvflash
It definitely makes it more useful. They even have it for the new Apple TV but I haven't tried it yet.

Good luck,
Dan

See this related thread:
Now watch NetFlix in CH through your computer or XBox.

I have an AppleTV and iTunes account from the US iTunes Store and it works perfectly here. As someone noted, you can probably order gift cards online (they must be valid for the US iTunes Store) and charge up your account - this is what our neighbors do. In my case, I still have a US-based credit card (I use my sister's home address), so I pay all my purchases with that card. We have full use of AppleTV and iTunes services on the account, we can rent TV shows and movies, download books to my iPad, etc. I have never had a problem.

NetFlix and Hulu require that your IP address be US-based, therefore you will need a VPN or similar to spoof the service into thinking you are accessing it from the US. I tried two of these services, it worked a short while but not for long, so I gave up on it. The iTunes store works well enough for us.

Yes, most DVD based entertainment systems are region coded, including video games. If you have a US bought Wii, PS2/3 or XBOX and it uses standard DVDs, then any games you buy locally will not play in that machine and vice versa. I do not think the same applies for Blu-Ray discs. I purchased Blu-Ray discs through Amazon USA and they play in my PS3, but those were movie discs, not games.

So far, Apple doesn't check your ip address, like all these other services do (Hulu, Netflix). I wonder how much longer this will last.

oh, but they do - they simply suspend your account if you overdo it. Happened to me in 2009

I have been using iTunes Store here in Switzerland since 2005, I have purchased a lot of music, movies, rentals, ibooks, apps, etc... and never had a problem.

Are you sure your account was suspended for excessive purchasing? Seems counter intuitive that they would cut off a high volume paying customer?