Does anyone use Netflix here in Japan?  How well does the mailing service work? Should I get the basic plan, or upgrade to multiple movies at one time? Also, has anyone been able to get the Netflix instant viewing to work?  Are there special problems for this off base due to Japanese IP address?  Thanks!

FWIW, I've heard there will be NO movie theater in Iwakuni starting next year until a new one is built, maybe 2013 or later. Having something like Netflix would be a good alternative. 

I have 3 at a time and I get Blue Rays. You can do instant viewing if you get an IP blocker. I recommend www.hidemyip.com Also, the movies take about 1 week to turn around here in the Yoko area.

My DH said we can get Netflix with our WII. Not sure though

Netflix is now available on Wii. You have to ask Netflix to send you a DVD that has the software; it's free. But then the question is, will it work from a Japanese IP address or you need an IP blocker like ordiewife said? 

I know how to block the IP of my computer, but how do you do it for a Wii?

That would be sweet if I could use my Wii. I use Netflix almost exclusively for streaming video. I block my IP for my computer, but don't know how to use it on Wii.

I find about 3 week turn around for each DVD.

I called Netflix and they said the Wii streaming software could not be used from Japan . It's a shame... the DVD's take so long to get here.

Posted By ThaiGuy on 17 Apr 2010 02:55 PM

I know how to block the IP of my computer, but how do you do it for a Wii?

Only way I can think of, at least using a vpn/IP masker like hide-my-ip, would be to configure your PC as a router and have your additional network apps run through your PC, perhaps using something like virtual router and then plug your Wii's network jack into the PC.

Given that hassle, I'd probably look for a similar product or VPN solution that runs on linux and stand up a linux box instead.
------------

And
Thanks for the recommendation on hide-my-ip.  That was exactly what I was looking for to solve several issues.  (I was playing with TOR but the ip randomization of proxies didn't work for getting Netflix to cooperate).

Try hotspotshield.com. It gives you an American IP address.

What I'd really love is an American IP not for my computer, but for my router. That would then give my Wii a US IP which would allow me to watch Netflix on my TV.  Anyone know how to do this for a router?

You can order movies through ITunes instead of waiting for the DVD through netflix. Then you can hook your computer to your TV to watch them.

Netflix has like 14,000 movies you can stream instantly for free if you have their DVD subscription. I used this in the States, and watched far more movies by streaming than I did by DVD. It cost like $9 a month, flat rate.

ThaiGuy has there been any resolve to your Wii/Netflix question?

I know I can torrent movies, and shows that I want to watch, but I would rather not. I'm sure that changing/masking your IP address falls into a gray area, but until otherwise great companies like Netflix figure out that there are people in other countries that want to use the service this seems to be our best option.

I used HideMyIP for a while but recently, it simply stopped working with Netflix.

@FTC -- Sorry, I'm not actively trying to resolve the Netflix/Wii issue. One of these days, I might give it a try. One of the problems is that I have a "jail broken" Wii from Thailand and if I allow it to connect for software updates I'm afraid Nintendo my deactivate my machine much as Apple does with hacked iPhones. So I keep it off the internet.

In the meantime, I've made great strides with Tivo which makes me very happy. I use Tivo with AFN satellite, and it works ok except that 3 channels are time-delayed and so their Tivo listings always come up wrong. It's very annoying and makes it difficult to record off those channels (including the AFN Movie channel.)

Anyway, I recently found a fix & now all my channels line up correctly. As much as people gripe about AFN, there's actually a lot there if you have access to record its programs 24/7. I have a hard drive full of stuff waiting to be watched.

Strong VPN sells a router in combination with their VPN service which mask the ip address of anything connected to your Internet. My intention is to use Netflix with my xbox.

Drud, I get a sense from Ed's comment that Netflix gets wise to these IP blockers and eventually blocks out Netflix from them. The problem is, Netflix is authorized to redistribute movies & TV shows only within the US. If they get caught with overseas customers, the owners of these programs would get pretty hot & probably withdraw their material from the Netflix inventory. So they have to be very careful that only US users are accessing the system.

I'm not an expert, but isn't there another technology which is IP proxy? As opposed to IP blockers (which hide your IP) the proxy would give you a US IP address. That might be a more sustainable solution. I'm not really sure; I'm just thinking out loud.

I'm with you ThaiGuy.

I would love to hear more about the IP Proxy idea - Netflix only takes about 1 1/2 weeks to get dvds here, but I like being more spontaneous - especially since the on base rentals have such a limited selection. I am about to drop my netflix account since we hardly ever use it, but if I can find a way to get a US IP to stream them through my xbox, I'll keep it.

Any one know more about this???

Posted By Drudwn on 02-21-2011 9:48 AM
Strong VPN sells a router in combination with their VPN service which mask the ip address of anything connected to your Internet. My intention is to use Netflix with my xbox.

I use this and it works great, Strong VPN account with a Sabai Technology configured router.

Our Panasonic TV and PS3 connect through the Sabai Technology wireless router to my StrongVPN account, makes it look like we are in the USA.

Hulu+, Netflix, Pandora radio and VUDU all work fine on SD quality setting. Basic HD works but you do get some net lag from time to time.

Also try www.witopia.net. It may help!

Mark, how does one know if your router is sabai-equipped?

Posted By ThaiGuy on 02-21-2011 10:56 PM
Mark, how does one know if your router is sabai-equipped?

^ What he said

Sabai Technology is the company that sells wireless routers programmed to be used in conjunction with StrongVPN.

http://www.sabaitechnology.com/

I use their Asus RT-N16 StrongVPN Client Router - N router with excellent results.

Sabai takes a basic router and reprograms it with dd-wrt v24 vpn-small operating system (I think this is a linux based operating system).

It is possible to do this yourself if you have a router that can be reprogrammed, they sell several different routers on their website and list the specs.

Guys it's working but you're going to need a pre-configured VPN router from Sabai for sure!!! Over the past month I've been pushing hard to get this to work on my Xbox 360 and WD TV Live. I can successfully say my system is working with very little problems.

My blog will explain how to set it up and give tips on how to get you started. It's well worth it and it's very easy to set up from your home PC.

http://watch-us-tv-in-japan.blogspo...outer.html

Also did you you know that once you get your VPN you'll be able to stream Hulu to your TV? You'll need a software called Playon. Why not even get the app for your iPhone to play all those shows too.

ok, quick vote... Is the above spam and/or gratuitous promotion of his website for profit? I mean, his very first post on Japanbases?

Spam, C'cmon...put it this way did you learn anything that you didn't know before? Much like all of you guys who've been trying to get Netflix to play on your Japanese IP's I've been on the same boat. I just documented exactly how I did it so others can not feel so home sick and get the shows they want. That's why I made that blog so others can see what I've learned. So be it if my first post is for my blog but I'm sharing information so others can benefit...isn't that what forums are all about?

Fisherking, Good stuff. Thanks!

lol, ok fisherking... you win. Sorry about that! I thought you were selling stuff.

Yeah gotta be careful with links anymore I'm saving this for the hubby, its a bit technical for me.

Any idea if the Sabai stuff will work with Mac?

Posted By DesMama on 02-28-2011 8:37 AM

Any idea if the Sabai stuff will work with Mac?

The Sabai Tech stuff is nothing more than a wireless router programmed to be used with StrongVPN, otherwise it's the same as any other wireless router.

True about the router thing...I know Strong VPN IP's/Software will work fine for Mac as they have a section for mac users. But if you want use Playon's software it's windows only.

What media device do you guys use to watch Netflix?

Personally I used to use a WD TV LIVE but once I found out Xbox360 can use Netflix through their main video interface I was hooked. Basically the watch instantly function is website based but on Xbox you can add those to your queue to view right away. Overall if you can afford the $300 for a Xbox it's well worth it...

Posted By Fisherking on 03-01-2011 12:01 AM
What media device do you guys use to watch Netflix?

I have two choices, I can stream using the Panasonic surround sound with the added wireless adapter or using a Sony PS3.

I've found the quality to be much better when I use the PS3. Plus Sony has other services you can add to the PS3 such as Hulu+, Vudu etc.

Don't own a Xbox but I imagine is has many of the same options.

Hmmm You don't need to change the software on your router. Alot of them just need to be pointed to StrongVPN's switch. I have a dlink router and within the setup you just enter in the infromation from StrongVPN. I can try to write it up if anyone is interested.

So... as of today... it seems like StrongVPN is the winning way to go, right?

(I agree with DesMama that this is a bit technical for me as well, but I am determined to get it! Lol!)

I currently setting my off base house up with internet/cable, etc. and one of the main things I want to have is NETFLIX! I miss my shows so much! I tend to be a night owl and need my movies while the kids sleep. I also have a MAC so is this going to affect anything?

Try visiting this website www.tubeplus.me  you will be surprise, let me know.

Thai Guy or anyone else! Did you get the Strong VPN and router? Does it work as described? Any issues? I am flying to Japan at the end of Aug and wanted to get the set up before hand, but was worried about some of the reviews it received. Let me know what you think if you don't mind.

DocBC

I have had a stornvpn account and a router that I got from sabai and I have had very few issues.

I've had it since April and I've only have one "major" issue (for some reason the router wasn't connecting to strongvpn server, so I just switched servers and it worked again - took me almost an hour to try switching servers).

The only other minor issue I have is dropped connections (for about 2 to 5 seconds) from the storngvpn server. Happens about 2 to 3 times a week. It only gets annoying when I'm downloading something. If I'm streaming something, it'll just pick right back up and a lot of times I'm blind to the issue unless theres heavy network usage.

I'm just happy I can use Hulu+ and Netflix.

We are moving to Yokosuka at the begining of the year and I am trying to figure all of this stuff out. We currently have Netflix that we play through a Sony Blue Ray Player or a Wii and was planning on getting Hulu Plus. I didn't think there would be any issues until I stumbled on this thread. I searched the strongvpn website and can not figure out which package we would need. We are also planning on getting the iPhone 4s when we get out there. I read on another thread that in order to get some of the aps, you needed a VPN. I guess my question is, what package do others have? Open or PPTP?

Also, is AFN free? We are planning on living on base for ease of shuffling the kids since I will have one in elementary, one in middle and one in high school.

They both do the same thing but differently. (I had to dig out my Networking class notes)

PPTP (Peer to Peer Tunneling Protocol):
**Easy to configure (based on MS Dial-up networking)
**No encryption - relies on tunneling for protection)

OpenVPN:
**Free / Open source
**Creates point-to-point or server-to-multi-client encrypted tunnels between host computers

If you're concerned about security, then you'll want OpenVPN (but from what I've read, it doesn't work with iPad, iPhone)

If you want ease of installation/use, then you'll want PPTP. I have PPTP, but I have encryption enabled on mine (extra steps to enable it).

As for AFN: "basic" AFN (like 8 channels) is "free" but you'll have to have the dish installed on our house/apartment and I think you have to buy the converter.

The bad part is that if you need to get the dish and cabling installed, it can get expensive. The guy that housing recommended to install the dish and cabling quoted me a little over $300 for everything (dish, installation and cabling). I decided against it and rely on Hulu + and Netflix now.

I went with www.hidemynet.com for my VPN provider. Their site was quite user friendly and had a lot of information on how to setup various devices and what all of the formats were. Oh yeah, there is only one package for $5/month and it allows you to use any of 4 formats. 2 of those formats are supported by Apple devices.