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Blown Away by the Content and Ease of Use Free Boxee Software!

what you need:
TV and proper cables to attach your laptop or computer
Download free Boxee software
Connect to you TV
Optional : Netflix Account ( and take 15 minutes to sign up for a US Netflix account- read how to set up US Netflix account in Canada and outside the United States )
Optional- Set up a US IP address living outside the United States
0ptional- Download Boxee Remore iPhone App
Optional- Install Navi-X app into Boxee

Was at my friends house this week and he has a Boxee Box by D-Link media streaming device
. It cost 200.00 and it has an easy to use interface that will stream content like music, movies, etc from his hard drive as well as watch Netflix and movies and TV shows found on the Internet. I ended up setting up a US IP for him so he could get US Netflix account and then spent time playing with Boxee.
I was pretty impressed. If a video or clip can be found on the internet, Boxee will find it and offer it up for you to play in a neat package.
I have been looking at getting something to be able to watch Netflix in my bedroom- right now I just steal kids Wii but that is a hassle.
So looking at buying a new Blu-Ray player that has wi-fi built in orWestern Digital WD TV Live Plus
.
I was seriously thinking of dropping 200 buck on this Boxee. I have some concerns because my internet modem and router are in basement and would have to go three floors up. There is no way I will fish wires and hard wire it to my modem with ethernet cable.

I saw that you could “build” you own boxee device- basically you are just using Boxee software on a computer. In this case I am using an older laptop ( Dell Inspiron 6000).
Was fairly easy. You can use in Canada no problem but getting a US IP for 4.99 a month lets you access 30X the content- including being able to use a US Netflix account and Pandora outside United States.
My friend after I set him up with US IP was thrilled to be able to get live TV from Britain .

How to Set up Boxee on Your Home Theatre or TV
1) Download Boxee software to the computer you are going to use.
2) Follow set up instructions. Not hard to do at all.They really do make it easy to do.

Connect your TV to computer with Boxee software installed.
with my Dell Inspiron I have S-video out and VGA output. I have Samsung LCD TV with inputs for just the VGA.
I set up the VGA but just ordered an adapter- a VGA to HDMI Cable for under 10 dollars.
. I do not have an S-Video input on my Tv and very few new ones do. If you are using an older TV you can get VGA Adapter to RCA Out Cables
as well.

VGA does not connect sound so need to get sound onto TV- just using a standard audio cable (3.5mm Stereo Male To Male Cable
) from headphone jack on laptop to input on TV. The laptop will treat the TV as a monitor anf you may have to make some adjustment on your laptop in Control Panel-> Appearances

VOILA! Boxee is set up and ready to go!

One thing that amazed me was that I could download iphone App that works as remote for Boxee- this works like a charm.
If you dont have iphone/itouch/ipad there is Android app as well. You could also use a wireless key board and have nearby.
I set up wirelessly and so far please with speeds and buffering. I have an “N” router but a/b adapter in my old laptop. I may pick up cheap wireless adapter for it to get better speeds.
With content on laptop now issues at all but with streaming load times long. Ideally this should be hardwired.

Boxee is up and running !
Here are some things you should do next to get most from it:
Set up Your netflix account. I cannot recommend enought getting a US Netflix account. You can get IS Netflix accoun even while living outside the United states- read my short article,
How to Set Up US Netflix account in Canada take about 15 minutes.

Also take time to install Navi-X . This will let you watch movies and TV – you will be stunned at how much is available all for free.

How to Add Navi-X to Boxee

Go to Repository section in Boxee.
Go to ” Add Repository” and copy/paste this URL :
http://navi-x.googlecode.com/svn/trunk/boxee/
Follow install instructions ( takes 2 minutes)
You can now launch Navi-X in Boxee from Apps section.

I know this sounds like a lot- its not. Sounds overwhelming but really it isnt!!!

Tags: Home Theater by admin
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How to get US Netflix in Canada?

UPDATE: You do NOT need a US Netflix account to watch US Netflix if you are watching on your PC, laptop, Ipad/iphone/itouch OR PS3. You can use your Canadian login and Canadian account info- however you do still need a US proxy service.
For detailed instructions if you plan to watch on one of the above devices, read read post, How Watch US Netflix with Your Canadian Netflix Account

Note: If you have any questions about setting up a US Netflix account in Canada – let me know and I will try and help!
1)You will need: Mastercard . Amex , gift Visa card OR virtual Visa card to pay US Netflix.
Canadian Mastercard will work MOST times. One of mine did, the other didn’t.
Canadian Visa will not work at all.
Some reports that Canadian Pre-paid Visa, “Vanilla Visa” will work to pay US Netflix.
So far Canadian Amex always works.
If asked for zip code, try: 14304

2) US Proxy Account ie. www.unblockUS.com
3) Way to watch Netflix- PS3, Wii, Roku, WDTV Live, Xbox-360, wi-fi enabled Blu-Ray player, etc.

If you are using a Wii, Blu-ray player, X-box 360 or other media streaming device you need US Netflix account along with the US Proxy Service

Setting up a US Netflix Account subscription in Canada

note: this will also let you watch hulu.com content as well- as you are “tricking” netflix server that you have a US IP address. ie that you are in States.

Once set up – and you set up on your wireless router you can watch Netflix US in Canada on any any compatible device and watch US Netflix on your PS3, Wii, computer, media server ( ie Apple TV, WDLIVE, wifi enabled blu-ray players), your Iphone ( when connected to wi-fi in your house).

Get American Netflix in Canada

I got rid of cable about two months ago. We have been using netflix.ca for a few weeks. The selection is not that great and the picture quality disappointing.
My brother mentioned I should set up a US netflix account but it seemed like such a hassle. It actually wasn’t. I am pretty computer savvy but can say that the set up would be pretty easy for most users. If you installed a wireless router in your house then you will be able to set up a US Proxy service and watch American netflix no problem.
I was VERY pleasantly surprised how easy this was to do. Nettflix US was up and running on my PS3 within 20 mins. Getting Netflix US to work on my Wii was different story and will explain below.

What you need- a way to pay Netflix. A Canadian paypal account won’t work. I used my Canadian Mastercard no problem, I believe Amex also works but at time of this writing Visa did not. You can try a Visa gift card or use a service like Entropay.com. Entropay creates a “virtual” visa card funded from your credit card.
NOTE: If you are watching on PS3, ipad , PC you do NOT need a US Netflix account- just the US proxy service and watch US Netflix with you Canadian Netflix account.

How to Watch Netflix US in Canada

Next get a proxy server that makes it look like you are in US and be able to access “US only” content.
I really like http://unblock-us.com/ Was very easy to use a and a good price- 4.99 a month or 49.00 a year. Aside from your Netflix.com account this is all you have to buy. The cost is 4.99 a month- note they offer free 7 day trial that was super easy to set up. Its a win/win solution as you can try the US VPN for free and get netflix.com trial for 30 days free. You can use Canadian paypal to pay the service I use, unblock-us.com with no issue.

If you are using Canadian Netflix NOW you won’t be able to access netflix.ca from the connection set up in your house anymore- it will redirect you to US netflix site. So if you want to cancel your Canadian account you will have to do elsewhere or do what I did and used my smartphone when in 3g mode.

So…… here goes.
Set up your American IP at unblock-us.com or similar. Unblock-us.com are reputable and you get free 7 day trial if you are nervous.
I needed to change DNS settings for my wired PC and that was super easy and again good instructions on the site. I wont bother to repeat here and re-invent the wheel.

You are going to have to make changes to your DNS settings on router- they have excellent instructions on the site. It looks a bit scary but was fairly easy.
Truthfully the hardest and most time consuming thing for me was I couldn’t get my Wii to connect to US netflix account- more details about that at end of post.
Setting up the US VPN/ proxy server took about 5- 10 minutes. I have a Trendnet router and was bit tricky finding the DNS settings but eventually figured out.
Here are detailed instruction for many router brands and how to change router DNS settings. Don’t be intimidated!
https://store.opendns.com/setup/router/ Brands like linksys,motorola, linksys, etc.
If your brand not listed- don’t worry- its not that hard and you will be able to do with not much effort.

This is hardest part and you’re almost done!

Set Up US Netflix in Canada

After you have your router set up with a proxy service you can now access the netflix.COM site and not the netflix.CA site.
Sign up at netflix with an email address you haven’t given them before.
At credit card checkout use you “virtual” visa that you got a Entropay or try you mastercard or Amex. Canadian Paypal does not work.
I did not need an American address. Worked perfectly.

Getting Netflix US account to work with PlayStation 3 / PS3 in Canada

After your US netflix account is setup you need to install on your PS3. This was a BREEZE.
First if you have a CANADIAN Netflix account on your PS3 – delete it. Just go on the icon on your PS3 and hit options ( triangle button) and choose delete.
The go to PlayStation Store and re-download the Netflix PlayStation App. When downloaded just follow instructions. Takes seconds and works right away with no other changes or hassle.

Watching US Netflix on Your Wii Console in Canada

This took a while and answer was so obvious felt stupid. I could NOT get my Wii to connect and download to Netflix.com. Kept going to Netflix.ca
I went into Wii options and deleted netflix data and then netflix app.
I re-downloaded netflix from Wii store and still nothing.
My not very computer savvy boyfriend came up with solution after watching me agonize and swear for half an hour. What was solution to getting Wii to get US Netflix??

Can’t get US Netflix on my Wii

All I had to do was change my Wi settings- change it to my location being United States not Canada- DOH!
You do need to delete the Netflix stuff in your wii Options before it will work tho.
I am not a fan of watching Netflix on Wii- it will not show in HD and I find using Wii remote cumbersome.
The PS3 is a perfect system in my mind.
My kids watch US netflix on their laptops.
I could if I wanted to watch on my teeny iPhone screen as well and my friend loves watching it on her iPad.

I have been looking at other ways to watch. Having to steal Wii from kids room and set up then watch mediocre quality not my thing. I think my best bet is to buy a wi-fi enabled Blu-Ray player. You can pick up at BestBuy or Walmart for about 100 bucks.
Actually- my next solution is to pick up WD TV Live with built in wi-fi- at Costco now for 95.00.

I hope you find this useful- I am AMAZED at easy it was!
I am going to see how how hulu.com works next

Let me know how well setting up US Netflix in Canada worked for you!

Tags: Home Theater by admin
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