How-To Geek
Tunlr Gives Non-US Residents Access to Hulu, Netflix, and More
If you’re outside the US market and looking to enjoy US streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and more, Tunlr is a free and simple service that will get you connected.
Unlike other tools that are more expensive (both in price and in hardware/bandwidth overhead) like VPN services, Tunlr doesn’t set up a full tunnel but instead serves as an alternative DNS server that allows you to access previously blocked content. From the Tunlr FAQ:
Tunlr does not provide a virtual private network (VPN). Tunlr is a DNS (domain name system) unblocking service. We’re using sophisticated technologies (a.k.a. the Tunlr Secret Sauce ©) to re-adress certain data envelopes, tricking the receiver into thinking the envelope originated from within the U.S. For these data envelopes, Tunlr is transparently creating a network tunnel from your location to our U.S.-based servers. Any data that’s not directly related to the video or music content providers which Tunlr supports is not only left untouched, it’s also not even routed through Tunlr.
Hit up the link below for more information about the service, including how to set it up on various operating systems, portable devices, and gaming consoles.
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Comments (10)
Jason Fitzpatrick is warranty-voiding DIYer and all around geek. When he's not documenting mods and hacks he's doing his best to make sure a generation of college students graduate knowing they should put their pants on one leg at a time and go on to greatness, just like Bruce Dickinson. You can follow him on Google+ if you'd like.
- Published 06/5/12
how are things like this free?
Because it was made by a true geek
Awesome! I’ve been wanting to use services like this since forever. You’ve made me one very happy Canadian! =)))
This is great!! Shame hulu has ad breaks every 2 mins
Seeing as it’s just a matter of changing your DNS, theoretically this would work on an Android Tablet, right? I need to go try this now!
Nevermind. Can’t change the DNS server on 4.0 or I can’t find the settings. I’ll have to try my router instead. :(
I’ll try it with my iTVmediaPlayer (http://itvmediaplayer.com)
@GigiAUT: it is definetely possible if you have root access. also, if you are using wifi, you should be able to access some “advanced” menu for the access point of your choice, and then instead of “DHCP” you can choose to use a “static” IP – and there you can also set up DNS1 and DNS2 for that connection only.
at least it does so on my galaxy nexus.
You can easily access hulu anywhere in the world using Anchorfree’s Hotspot Shield VPN.
It gives you a US IP address and works with Windows XP/Vista/7/Mac.
Check it out here: http://www.hotspotshield.com
“how are things like this free?”
Easy answer: because doing this particular thing costs virtually nothing. This method is based on changing DNS server of one’s PC, and this this case streaming traffic is N-O-T going through any third-party servers: it goes (as usual) directly to the user. DNS only provides “cover”/masking, meaning tricking Netflix or any other service into thinking that user is based in the U.S.
But greedy/insane services like PlaymoTV think they can charge 4.99/m for this (while Netflix itself costs 7.99) – absolutely ridiculous concept. I’m not saying PlaymoTV should do whatever it’s doing for free, but for 4.99 they provide very little value.