Content on the internet is sometimes restricted to certain regions (USA only in this case).  Meaning that if you go outside of the country and try to access that content, you will be blocked.  We believe in a free and open internet and we have put together a little guide on how to view Netflix on your Apple TV while outside of the US.

 You can easily bypass these restrictions by using a VPN server.  A VPN server allows all of your internet traffic to be routed through a special server and onto Netflix (for example).   In this example, I am located in Germany, if I try to access Netflix, I get the above message.  If I connect to my VPN, then try to access Netflix, the network traffic gets routed through the VPN server (located inside the U.S.) and onto Netflix and back to me, unblocking it and allowing me to enjoy my English speaking movies and shows inside countries that "love to dub", such as Germany.

If you don't have an Apple TV 2, this guide will also work if you want to watch Netflix on your Xbox, Roku, Wii, PS3, Netflix-enabled DVD player or TV.

If you simply want to view Netflix on your computer or mobile device ONLY, see this guide.

 This guide will also work for people wanting to use their computer, tablet, mobile phone, Xbox, PS3, Wii, DVD players to view any of the following services:

• Netflix
• Hulu
• NBC
• CBS
• FOX
• ESPN
• NFL Game Rewind
• Pandora Radio
• Any other service that is blocked outside of the US.

In this guide we will be performing a firmware update on the following router, the Cisco-Linksys E2000 v1. The Cisco-Linksys E3000 v1 is also covered by this guide.  You can use another router as long as it is compatible with DD-WRT.  For a list of compatible routers see the DD-WRT router database (Opens in a new window).  The reason we have to do this is because Linksys (and most other router manufacturers) doesn't include support for connecting to a VPN server direction from the router.  DD-WRT allows VPN connections, so we will replace the Linksys software with DD-WRT.

 This guide is some what technical, if you look through it and think it is over your technical ability, you can buy a DD-WRT pre-installed router (Opens in a new window) and then skip to Part 3.  If you already have the DD-WRT software installed on your router you can also skip to Part 3.

1.)  A Cisco-Linksys E2000 v1 or E3000 v1 router, or any DD-WRT compatible wireless router.

2.)  A VPN account.  If you don't yet have a VPN account we highly recommend StrongVPN or HideMyAss. In this guide we will be using StrongVPN. 

 This guide assumes you already have a Netflix subscription, if you don't click here to get one.

DD-WRT Compatible Router: $40-150+

VPN account: $5 - $10 per month, depending on your provider.

Using a one router configuration

All devices connected to your router will connect through the VPN service.  

Good Points

• Don't have to buy another router

Bad Points

• All devices will go through the VPN regardless of if they need it.
• If the VPN server is down/having trouble, you will experience connection issues.

Using a two router configuration (Recommended)

A second router (DD-WRT compatible) will be connected via ethernet cable (see diagram) to the primary router (Any type).  Connect any devices that need to use the VPN service, such as Apple TV, XBox, PS3, Wii, or computers that would like to use the VPN to the second (VPN) router.  Your computer or other devices will connect to your primary router (Without VPN) for faster browsing.

Good Points

• Connect certain devices to the VPN and other devices to the primary router.
• If VPN connection is down/having trouble, you can fall back to your primary router.

Bad Points

•  Buying a second router

  The author of this article is located in Germany and is subscribed to the Euro America Special PPTP plan at StrongVPN which works very well.  Any PPTP account will work (Lite, Special, Standard, Deluxe) as long as you get a server located INSIDE the United States.

You need to find a server that is closest to your location.  For example: 

You are in Europe:  New York City, Washington, DC.

You are in Asia: Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles

You are in South America: Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami

You are in Canada: Seattle, Chicago, New York City

You are in Africa: New York City, Washington, DC, Miami, Tampa

You are in the Middle East: Use fastest server on either coast.

Once you have signed up with a VPN provider, log into your account, as we will need some information on how to connect to their servers.

 Carefully write all of this information down or print it out, as we will be using it later on.

In this example, we are using StrongVPN and are given this information upon account signup: 

The operating system on your linksys router is not good enough for what we want to do, so we have to load custom software on it called DD-WRT.  This will allow us to connect through the VPN.  

In this guide we will be flashing a Cisco-Linksys E2000 v1 router.  The files available for download on this page are for the E2000 v1 or the E3000 v1 router.  If you attempt to use these files on another router, odds are very good that you will ruin the router, so don't do it.

If you have a different type of router, you need to visit www.dd-wrt.com and find the instructions on flashing your specific model.  Once you have DD-WRT loaded on your router you can come back to this page and skip to Step 3. Again, we are only covering the E2000 v1 and E3000 v1 in this guide.

First, we need to make sure that the router is reset.  Please follow these instructions carefully:

1. Disconnect any ethernet/USB cables.  The power cable should be the only one plugged in.
2. Press and hold the reset button on the back of the router for 30 seconds.
3. Without releasing the reset button, unplug the unit and hold the reset button for another 30 seconds.
4. Plug the unit back in while STILL holding the reset button 30 more seconds.
5. Your router should now be ready to go.
6. Download the initial firmware file: (PLEASE PICK THE CORRECT FILE BASED ON YOUR ROUTER MODEL NUMBER!)  Cisco-Linksys E2000 v1   or    Cisco-Linksys E3000 v1 (If you would prefer to download them from the original website, you can do that here: E2000 DD-WRT Page  and  E3000 DD-WRT Page)
7. Plug an ethernet cable into the computer and into one of the 4 ports on the back of the router.
8. Open an internet browser.
9. In the address bar at the top type in: http://192.168.1.1  and press Enter to navigate there.
10. A popup box asking for a username and password should appear.
11. Enter the following credentials:  Username:  <BLANK - LEAVE EMPTY!>  Password: admin
12. Press OK to login.
13. You should be inside the router configuration page now, the top should look similar to this:
14. Next, on the top menu, choose "Administration".
15. Click on "Firmware Upgrade".
16. Click "Browse" and find the file that you just downloaded.
17. Click "Start to Upgrade" (See below for screenshot)
18.  DO NOT DISTURB THE ROUTER.  After it starts uploading, you will see a progress bar showing the status (0-100%).  After it reaches 100%, let it sit for 5 more minutes.  (Note:  When I uploaded mine, it went directly to the DD-WRT login screen after it completed, and I didn't have to wait.  If it doesn't bring you to the DD-WRT login screen, wait the 5 minutes, then move on to the step 14.)
19. Go to the web address: http://192.168.1.1 again.
20. If the firmware upload was successful, you should see this page:
21. Download the next file (Same file for both E2000 and E3000 routers) dd-wrt.v24-16785_NEWD-2_K2.6_big-e2k-e3k.bin
22. Click the "Administration" tab.  
23. Enter the following credentials:  Username: root  Password: admin
24. Press OK to login.
25. Select the "Choose File" button and choose the file you just downloaded. PLEASE ENSURE YOU CHOOSE THE CORRECT FILE (dd-wrt.v24-16785_NEWD-2_K2.6_big-e2k-e3k.bin)
26. Click "Upgrade".
27. The router should reboot when it is successfully upgrades.  This usually takes a few minutes. DO NOT INTERRUPT THE ROUTER.  If the router does not reboot or give you a message indicating success, wait 5 minutes then reboot the router.
28. You should now have the full version of DD-WRT loaded onto your router.  You can browse to http://192.168.1.1 or refresh the page if you are already there and look in the upper right corner of the screen, it should say "big" on the first line.

1. Click the "Setup" tab at the top of the page.
2. Click the "Basic Setup" tab.
3. Choose "PPTP" for Connection Type.
4. Choose "Yes" for Use DHCP.
5. Enter the IP Address given to you by StrongVPN.com for Gateway (PPTP Server).
6. Enter the Username and Password given to you by your VPN provider.
7. Choose "Enable" for PPTP Encryption.
8. Choose "Enable" for Disable Packet Reordering.
9. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Apply Settings"
10. Your router should now work with your VPN account.  Any device connected through the router will use the VPN connection. 

 

 

  At this point, your router is not secured.  The following steps are highly recommended:

• Enable wireless security and set a password/key.
• Change router SSID (Network Name).
• Change the router username and password.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are using one router:  Connect an ethernet cable from your modem directly into the internet port on the back of the Cisco-Linksys E2000 or E3000 Router.

To test the connection, connect to the VPN router and browse over to http://whatismyipaddress.com and you can see what your IP address is and which location it is coming from.  Here are my results:

 So, it is pretty obvious now that my setup works great, the website thinks I am located in California and therefore Netflix, Hulu, NBC, ABC, CBS, ESPN, etc should all work just fine when connected to the VPN router.

If yours tests the same, connect your Apple TV 2 to your wireless network and start streaming!

Breath a sigh of relief, you are done and should be browsing through Netflix on your Apple TV 2!  Remember, it may not be as fast as your connection "back home" but it does work just fine.  The faster your internet connection is, the better results you will have.  If you experience speed problems while connected to your VPN router, we recommend checking your speed at www.speedtest.net and troubleshooting with your VPN provider.

Remember Netflix IN THE US requires:

• 1.5 Mbps MINIMUM for streaming
• 3.0 Mbps for DVD quality streaming
• 6.0 Mbps for HD quality streaming