Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on Freesat

LEGAL NOTICE
THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
USING A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN), MAY BE ILLEGAL IN YOUR COUNTRY OR REGION, ALWAYS CHECK THE LAW WHERE YOU LIVE.
THIS SITE ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR MISUSE, OR DAMAGE CAUSED TO YOUR EQUIPMENT.

SmartStream with Freesat
SmartStream provides an alternative way to unlock blocked media, offering unparalleled streaming performance – especially over long distances – even enabling high quality (HD) content to be streamed effortlessly.
Due to the way SmartStream works, you will not experience any overhead/slow down as you might with a VPN.
SmartStream will not work in China, UAE or such countries where they heavily filter web traffic.
Nor in situations where you are passed through a ‘transparent proxy’, typically in hotels, schools/universities or offices etc. In these situations, please use a VPN instead to connect.

Setting up SmartStream on Freesat
Firstly you will require a VPN account that includes SmartStream for the UK, contact your VPN provider for more information on how to use SmartStream.

1. Press MENU on your Freesat remote control.
2. Go to SYSTEM
3. Choose NETWORK
4. Press CONFIGURE NETWORK
5. Choose CONFIGURE IP 6. Choose MANUAL
7. Navigate down to DNS ADDRESS and fill in the DNS server fields with your chosen SmartStream DNS server. Do not alter any of the other settings.
8. Press apply, then reboot the Freesat receiver.

Get a UK VPN or SmartStream from StreamVia (NOTE: A UK & USA VPN package is required for SmartStream).

geoblocked1 — BBC iPlayer – Geoblocked for overseas viewers

LAN Connection
1. Set up VPN connection as instructed by the service provider and test on PC.
2. Modify connection properties.
3. Go to your VPN Connection, right-click and choose Properties.
4. Click on Networking.
5. Click on Internet Protocol version 4, then click on Properties followed by Advanced.
6. Tick: Use default gateway on remote network and tick Automatic metric.
7. Modify connection properties: Sharing – Tick “allow other network users to connect using this computers internet connection” And “Establish a dial-up connection whenever a computer on my network attempts to access the internet”.
8. Connect the Humax HDR – Power-up HDR, then on router note HDR IP address (On connected devices) and PC IP address.
9. On LAN settings enter an address reservation for the HDR’s MAC address – use the currently allocated IP address.

On the receivers LAN settings
Note current settings and change to manual settings – re-enter all except the one for Router (Actually I would have called this Gateway) – enter PC’s IP and save settings.
You should now be able to access VOD content on your Freesat receiver.

Using Wi-Fi & LAN
You can also connect your Freesat HD receiver to a VPN by connecting your receiver via Ethernet cable to your computer. Then use your Wi-Fi connection to access the Internet.
This is quite easy to set up, and works well even on high-quality content, of course connecting directly to the Internet with a Ethernet cable is the best way.

1. Connect your satellite receiver to your computer with an Ethernet cable.
The Freesat HD receiver will be displayed as an Unidentified Network, a Public network with no Internet access.
2. Now share your VPN connection with the Ethernet connection (Freesat receiver)
To do this, go to your VPN connection and click on Properties.
3. Click on the Sharing tab.
4. Under Sharing, tick ‘Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.
5. While under sharing, choose a Home networking connection: Local Area Connection, then press OK.

Network & Sharing Center