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Post by tom on Jul 17, 2021 20:06:18 GMT 1
If you are living in France and want a better alternative to a VPN then I can recommend a Stream Locator Hub.
Plugs into your existing router (mine is connected to my Orange Fibre Livebox 4).
You can then connect any device to the new StreamLocator wifi network that is available. (I have an Edenwood Smart TV, iPad Gen 5 and a Blackview 8 tablet running Android 10. Also a mini pc running Windows 10 Pro connected to the tv.
Unlike a VPN, this all runs at the same speed as the original Livebox Fibre wifi.
On the plus side you can connect to other Netflix and Prime libraries rather than just French.
On the downside, the setup is not the five minutes as claimed in the advertising. Setting for any ITV channels requires some tweaking of the connected devices but does then work perfectly.
BBC iPlayer works perfectly and was very easy to set up.
I have no connection with Stream Locator other than as a very satisfied user. I purchased my from Amazon France and it was delivered in a couple of days. My comments are based on using it with an Orange Fibre connection running at the highest speed available at present.
If anyone would like further advice then I will try and help.
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Post by catrose on Jul 18, 2021 7:39:25 GMT 1
You have a fibre connection? So presumably good speeds to start with. Would this work with a truly feeble connection often 1mbs?
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Post by robertarthur on Jul 18, 2021 8:32:35 GMT 1
@ Catrose, an interesting technology developed by a Canadian start-up company to bypass geoblocking. Have also a look at their pricing policy. But it will not be able to speed up a slow internet connection. A communication chain is no stronger than its weakest link. A good VPN offers the additional advantage of more online privacy as mentioned in the linked review. |
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Aardvark
Non-gamer
Living in soggy 22 and still wondering what's going on.
Posts: 2,173
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Post by Aardvark on Jul 18, 2021 10:41:26 GMT 1
74€ to watch Iplayer? I think I'll pass.
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Le-Dolly
Member
La Souterraine (23) depuis '05.
Posts: 597
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Post by Le-Dolly on Jul 18, 2021 12:01:52 GMT 1
74€ to watch Iplayer? I think I'll pass. + another 60€+ a year after the first year..........if they have not increased the price by then. On the other hand I am considering buying one as my neighbour has one and it was so so easy to jailbreak it, therefore no more charges.
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Post by tom on Jul 18, 2021 13:58:12 GMT 1
Hi Catrose,
As someone else has replied, this cannot improve your connection speed.
I used to live in a very rural area of France so understand the frustration of poor internet speeds.
Now I live on the outskirts of a major French city on a new residence so have the benefit of a direct fibre connection into my property. I will try and attach a screenshot of a speed test that I did this morning through the Stream Locator connection.
As for other comments, well, people would need to decide if it is for them. For me the costs are negligible and apart from iPlayer gives me the option of changing country libraries on Netflix and Prime rather than being limited to the French ones. Not sure if you can do this with a VPN. No doubt others will advise.
Anyway, everybody stay safe.
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Post by robertarthur on Jul 18, 2021 18:18:43 GMT 1
It is indeed a clever hardware/software solution these Canadians invented. But who knows are the geolocalisation guys trying to outclever them one day in the future.....
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JohnnyD
Member
Mayenne (53) When Covid allows..........Which isn't very often these days........
Posts: 2,091
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Post by JohnnyD on Jul 18, 2021 18:45:58 GMT 1
I think it’s safe to say there are always more people trying to get round situations than there are trying to stop them Robert? Is that a correct statement I wonder?
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Post by tom on Jul 18, 2021 20:06:06 GMT 1
Somebody commented that this device is very easy to 'jailbreak' and avoid ongoing charges.
Am I missing something here? To get the device registered and working I had to go to their website and enter the code on the bottom of the unit. Then enter card details for monthly payments of a fixed amount to be taken at the end of twelve months. For all these sort of transactions I use a Transferwise EUR/GBP dual account. The debit card on this account never has more than about €20 in it. They duly did a 1 centime test transaction to check the card was valid.
The box was then connected.
So I am puzzled. To get the device, you have to pay an upfront cost which gives you the first 12 months of service. After that you pay per month.
Why would you seek to avoid that. It is next to nothing each month.
These people have developed the product and should be paid if you wish to continue using it.
What am I missing here?
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Post by stevefrance64 on Jul 18, 2021 23:36:53 GMT 1
I am happy with over 10 years NordVPN on a repeat two year plan $106.80
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Post by Dominic Best on Jul 19, 2021 8:52:18 GMT 1
If you are living in France and want a better alternative to a VPN then I can recommend a Stream Locator Hub. Plugs into your existing router (mine is connected to my Orange Fibre Livebox 4). You can then connect any device to the new StreamLocator wifi network that is available. (I have an Edenwood Smart TV, iPad Gen 5 and a Blackview 8 tablet running Android 10. Also a mini pc running Windows 10 Pro connected to the tv. Unlike a VPN, this all runs at the same speed as the original Livebox Fibre wifi. On the plus side you can connect to other Netflix and Prime libraries rather than just French. On the downside, the setup is not the five minutes as claimed in the advertising. Setting for any ITV channels requires some tweaking of the connected devices but does then work perfectly. BBC iPlayer works perfectly and was very easy to set up. I have no connection with Stream Locator other than as a very satisfied user. I purchased my from Amazon France and it was delivered in a couple of days. My comments are based on using it with an Orange Fibre connection running at the highest speed available at present. If anyone would like further advice then I will try and help. You do sound like an interested party. |
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Post by tom on Jul 19, 2021 13:25:55 GMT 1
Hi,
Perhaps, when you have a minute, you could explain your comment.
It seems to add nothing useful to the conversation.
Many thanks.
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Post by Dominic Best on Jul 19, 2021 13:53:01 GMT 1
Hi, Perhaps, when you have a minute, you could explain your comment. It seems to add nothing useful to the conversation. Many thanks. Simple. It sounds like an advert. I’m sure that you knew that already. |
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Post by tom on Jul 19, 2021 20:09:24 GMT 1
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
So, to be clear, are you suggesting that I have some connection to Streamlocator other than a satisfied customer?
If so, then you are questioning my honesty and that is pretty insulting. I made it clear in my original comment that I had purchased the device and that it worked well for me.
Thinking that there may be others that who might find the information useful I made my comments, pointing out that it might be the best choice for everyone.
Someone earlier posted a comment that they were very happy with NordVPN, obviously a good choice for them. Are you saying that they are advertising NordVPN?
Obviously not a good idea to try and post helpful advice here. Frankly, I am surprised that comments like this are allowed.
Have a good evening.
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Post by tom on Jul 19, 2021 20:18:57 GMT 1
For the benefit of Dominic Best,
My humble tv setup,
Top shelf, Edenwood 50" 4K tv - MinisForum Mini PC using the tv as the monitor - my aging Samsung DVD player/recorder - Orange Fibre box (I understand this is no longer needed with a Livebox 5)
Lower shelf, Orange TV box with the linked hard disk recorder below - the Stream Locator Hub (as allegedly advertised by myself!) - my old Livebox 4.
Hardly the setup of someone working on promoting tech products.
I look forward to his apology but won't hold my breath.
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