Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

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Bonzo
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Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Thu Feb 09, 2023 4:25 pm

Can anyone recommend the best way to get iplayer in Spain?

I’m currently using a 4th Gen Firestick with Nord VPN but the constant buffering is unbearable.

I get good download and upload speeds and have tried all the usual methods i.e deleting cache, rebooting etc to stop the buffering but to no avail

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby El Cid » Thu Feb 09, 2023 5:26 pm

What speeds are you getting?

Sid

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Enrique » Thu Feb 09, 2023 6:28 pm

Hi Bonzo,
Following on from Sids's post can you do the following..........

Assuming Windows and using your VPN.
start a CMD pompt and type ........... tracert www.bbc.co.uk

points of interest.........

the first 4/5 entries.......that's you going through your ISP , you will possible see the name of your ISP in these entries.

my exanple from above ...... 20-40msms

the rest will be as your packets travel out on the web
my example from this line ......150-180ms ms

please Post an average of the time taken to get through the ISP and the general times once out on the web.

check all of the above direct from windows no VPN set and see how they compare.

also type ping 8.8.8.8 and look for nay packet loss to the Google server

Thanks
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:09 pm

Download 28Mbps
Upload 8Mbps

I should add that I’m streaming on an LG Smart TV which only buffers on iplayer. Other Apps i.e ITVX,4,my5 stream play ok with no buffering. Also when I watch iplayer on my iPhone there’s no buffering either.
I don’t have Windows so can’t do the other checks you mention. Thanks.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Enrique » Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:15 pm

Hi Bonzo,
Those speeds should be ok...........iplayer worked ok with 12Mbps down and 1Mbps up with SmartyDNS.
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Wicksey » Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:33 pm

I have Firestick plus LG Smart TV and only get 8mbps on average and never usually get buffering. I use SmartDNSproxy, so not a VPN. I only get buffering when there's a problem with the internet and I get less than 2mbps.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Thu Feb 09, 2023 7:56 pm

I’m wondering if a SmartDNS is the best option to get problem free iplayer on the TV.
I’ve forked out for 2 years Nord VPN though so am hoping there might be a solution to the buffering. The problem is I haven’t come across anyone who gets problem free iplayer with a Firestick and VPN.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Enrique » Thu Feb 09, 2023 9:15 pm

Hi Bonzo,
Most SmartDNS service will give you a free trial period...........normally they are faster than VPN's

Wicksey gives good reports when using SmartyDNSproxy so a place to start.

I'd post a link but my setup blocks the site big time..............
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Thu Feb 09, 2023 11:20 pm

Thanks Enrique. That’s looking like the best option. I suppose I’ve got to find out the Nord VPN subscription was a waste of dollars somehow!

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby satandpcguy » Fri Feb 10, 2023 8:09 am

I have no issues with nordvpn firestick and iplayer.
But also dont nord do a smartdns also, so try that? May be better than the vpn app?
Speed is not everything... connection quality is, so if you are running speedchecks look at ping / jitter...especially if using "wireless internet" systems, which do tend to be a bit crap sometimes.
On iplayer high quality is selected automatically, so in the settings drop the quality?
Other apps monitor and adjust data rate and so automatically adjust quality and required data, which is why you find the likes on youtube and prime and netflix works fine...
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Fri Feb 10, 2023 9:26 am

Thanks for the advice satandpcguy. I’ll definitely look into that.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby markwilding » Fri Feb 10, 2023 4:40 pm

Problems I get when using a VPN is that it has to be switched on and off when using some other Spanish Apps such as DAZN, apart from this, some apps can block VPNs. Most members have been tried most ways over the years since it became difficult to beam the BBC via Satellite and from what I read in threads, SmartDNS is by far the most popular due to the lack of issues. Sometimes a VPN is needed and these days many Smart DNS companies offer one with the subscription.

Although I haven't done this myself, there might be another alternative to Iplayer using Satellite. There hasn't been a thread on this for while so it might not be possible now but other members could update you with this.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby gerryh » Fri Feb 10, 2023 4:48 pm

Hi Bonzo
As already been mentioned, have a look at https://www.smartdnsproxy.com/
14 day free trial.
I, and others on here, use it and have no complaints.
Set up instructions for a variety of devices.
Cheers
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Fri Feb 10, 2023 5:04 pm

Thanks for your replies all.

Sorry for being a bit dumb but do I load the SmartDNS on the Firestick or the router? I don’t have a laptop or Windows. If I load it on my router can I do it through my iPhone.
Just to add, I only intend to watch iplayer on my LGTV

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Wicksey » Fri Feb 10, 2023 5:26 pm

I've put the DNS into my router so then everything is covered. As Gerry mentioned, you should find instructions on their website for your device.

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Enrique
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Enrique » Fri Feb 10, 2023 5:27 pm

Hi Bonzo,

Is the iphone your only device :?: if so have you access to your Router IP address and password.
Summary:
Login to your router from a Browser on your iphone , find where you can change the DNS settings, put in the SmartDNSProxys settings.

If you're abit lost .......please post Make and Model of your Router...........you will need IP of Router also known a Gateway

possible 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1

https://osxdaily.com/2016/05/05/find-ro ... dress-ios/


Have you any techie friends that could pop round with a laptop . :?:
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Fri Feb 10, 2023 6:19 pm

Ok thanks. Think I’m almost there. I have a TP Link router

Where do I get the primary and secondary DNS servers from?

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gerryh
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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby gerryh » Fri Feb 10, 2023 6:22 pm

They tell you on the website in the setup instructions.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby olive » Fri Feb 10, 2023 7:58 pm

Bonzo. I have nord vpn . It works great but slows the connection down a bit. I have just bought a second router which I have got working off the first router. I am going to now try and get the smart dns element of Nord working on my second router but without the vpn. That task should keep me out of trouble for a few days.

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Re: Firestick & Nord VPN for BBC iplayer

Postby Bonzo » Fri Feb 10, 2023 8:10 pm

Hi Olive. That sounds like a plan. I’ve got an old second router so I’m going to give that a go myself.
Thanks for sharing the idea


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