Watching British TV over the internet whilst abroad

P

phantomlady

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 Jan 2009
Messages
394
Location
Cornwall
www.phantomladysbigadventure.blogspot.com
Just found this nifty little freeware programme which apparently allows you to watch BBC iplayer over the internet whilst abroad. Not had a chance to test it yet as we are still at home (back to boat next week).
I know there are other ways - proxy servers - but not without cost as far as I'm aware.
It's called Expat Shield and is available for free download.
Apologies if you alrerady know about it!
 
Thanks for that Phantomlady it seems to work okay. Tried it here in Burgundy watching David Attenborough on the beeb. Now checking on what else it has to offer
Regards Nollie.
 
We've been trying for ages to find a way to watch UK tv online, and seeing your post have just downloaded this programme. However it has now invaded all areas of our computer and proved impossible to uninstall, which would have been ok if it had enabled us to watch tv but we couldn't do that either!
 
And for Mac users the program GetiPlayerAutomator does the same thing -download any program from the BBC iPlayer website from anywhere in the world and keep it on your computer for as long as you like.
 
Carmel2 said:
We've been trying for ages to find a way to watch UK tv online, and seeing your post have just downloaded this programme. However it has now invaded all areas of our computer and proved impossible to uninstall, which would have been ok if it had enabled us to watch tv but we couldn't do that either!
Click to expand...
Always a good idea, when downloading any programmes of unknown provenance to unfold them in a "sandbox", ie a secure virtual computer separate from every thing else.
It's now standard on higher versions of Win7, on all Linux distros and can be added to Win XP by installing Kaspersky Internet Security 2011.
 
rivonia said:
Big thank you. It is working here in Greece. Will now watch the Formula-1 live with English language as it is also on local TV but in Greek. Watched some bbc news this am.
Click to expand...
Rivonia, are you using the local WLAN?and where?

I find that bandwidth is a problem on most sites - but usually use a cellular modem, which is struggling, except in exceptional 3G areas to deal with pictures as well as sound.
 
This is the same as AnchorFree HotspotShield which gives you an IP address in USA.

The main purpose of these is to put your trafic through a vpn thereby securing your public wifi access from sniffers and hackers.

Comodo TrustConnect does the same, giving you an IP address in Congleton.
 
charles_reed said:
Rivonia, are you using the local WLAN?and where?

I find that bandwidth is a problem on most sites - but usually use a cellular modem, which is struggling, except in exceptional 3G areas to deal with pictures as well as sound

OOPs we found that it kept breaking up as we were watching so had to revert to watching on the local TV channel.
Click to expand...
 
downloaded it on Friday and watched Coast here in the USA, on a wireless card. Worked very well, not 100% perfect 100% of the time but still very good.
Thanks for the link.
I think for the SkyPlayer, you have to be registered with Sky and have a login ID and password.
 
pohopetch said:
And for Mac users the program GetiPlayerAutomator does the same thing -download any program from the BBC iPlayer website from anywhere in the world and keep it on your computer for as long as you like.
Click to expand...

Tried it last night and downloaded 2 episodes of "New Tricks". They went automatically into my iTunes Movies - but then wouldn't play - there must be something else which needs to be done?
 
I downloaded Expat Sheild OK. It sets up a VPN with a UK based IP address, hence you can access BBC iPlayer and the other channel players too because they think you are UK based. It all seems to work OK except it does seem to interfere a little with my Outlook sending. So I 'disconnect' the VPN from the web page that it opens or click on the the little green sheild icon on the task bar in Windows XP, and all is fine again. Not sure what Carmel 2 means when he says 'it invades all of his machine'. Ian
 
I did notice that when I downloaded it, I picked up an adware tracking cookie, which Avast interpreted as a threat and blocked it. It then gave the threat warning every time I opened a webpage. I ran Spyware Doctor and Malawarebytes which both picked up on it and deleted/quarantined it from both programs, after which pages seemed to open fine again, until I ran the iPlayer again, when it was picked up once more.
 
Expat Shield

Downloaded this programme....and it would work fine when I used the aerial and connection which is `embedded` in the laptop(but which only gets a weak signal)....but when I tried to connect to the internet using my Wave Magnum wi-fi booster, I found that although it would connect to the wi-fi hotspot... I always then got the message `Internet Explorer cannot connect etc` What is more, even when I stopped the programme , I had to do a system restore to a time before I installed Expat Shield before my wi-fi booster would re-connect to the internet.
Obviously this programme is altering only settings....but...does anyone have any ideas what settings....and how to cure the problem. (The last Grand Prix is on this weekend ...and so far, apart from this means of watching it ( I`m in Tunisia), I haven`t found anywhere with a satellite tv that can pick it up.)
 
NOHOH said:
Downloaded this programme....and it would work fine when I used the aerial and connection which is `embedded` in the laptop(but which only gets a weak signal)....but when I tried to connect to the internet using my Wave Magnum wi-fi booster, I found that although it would connect to the wi-fi hotspot... I always then got the message `Internet Explorer cannot connect etc` What is more, even when I stopped the programme , I had to do a system restore to a time before I installed Expat Shield before my wi-fi booster would re-connect to the internet.
Obviously this programme is altering only settings....but...does anyone have any ideas what settings....and how to cure the problem. (The last Grand Prix is on this weekend ...and so far, apart from this means of watching it ( I`m in Tunisia), I haven`t found anywhere with a satellite tv that can pick it up.)
Click to expand...

Get rid of expat shield. We also like everyone else downloaded it and it came with Malware attaced. Had to take the lap top to a specialist who also found a virous. He said it came with expatshield. So you have been warned. Hope that those who have it allready do not get the virous.

Peter
 
rivonia said:
Get rid of expat shield. We also like everyone else downloaded it and it came with Malware attaced. Had to take the lap top to a specialist who also found a virous. He said it came with expatshield. So you have been warned. Hope that those who have it allready do not get the virous.

Peter
Click to expand...

No, this application does not come with a virus, but has been flagged occasionally as adware as it is free software supported by adverts which can appear on web pages. Some antivirus programs such as Nod32 have been known to interfere with correct installation of the program, so this is probably why some instals fail.

HotspotShield from AnchorFree has been discussed extensively by experts such as antivirus program developers, on security websites such as Wilders Security Forum.

Most local computer experts have very little knowledge about malware.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top