Using a VPN with a Smart TV

More and more people are turning to a different kind of technology to stream media from the Internet—the Smart TV. Using a Smart TV to stream media provides a more realistic entertainment experience on a bigger screen. It is no stretch to envision a time when Smart TV’s will become preferred over DVD media as more and more content is delivered via the Internet.

What many people don’t realize is that Smart TV’s are subject to the same security and restriction concerns as any other Internet-ready device. Combining a VPN with your Smart TV is an intelligent way to avoid many of these problems.

The Evolution of the Smart TV

The Smart TV, also known as the Connected TV or Hybrid TV, has come a long way since it was patented in 1994. The technology has improved and the cost of a Smart TV has come down, making the device more accessible to more people.

Smart TV’s were developed in order to integrate Web 2.0 services, including social media and streaming media, with general television viewing. You will find the same technology used by Smart TV’s in many “set-top” devices like the converters used by satellite companies and also in popular gaming consoles like the Playstation 4 and the Xbox 360. What the technology primarily does is allow viewers to search the Web for on-demand movies and television programs from providers like Dish Network and Direct TV, and users also have the capability to save media to an internal storage device.

By definition, Smart TV’s are television sets integrated with Internet capabilities or a set-top box that enables greater connectivity and computing ability than a regular television set.

At the present time, about 12 million US households actively use a Smart TV, while another 25 million own sets that are capable of Internet connectivity. By 2016, studies project that 100 million homes in North America and Western Europe will be actively using a Smart TV.

Why use a VPN with a Smart TV?

Without a doubt, the Smart TV is a nifty concept. What users need to remember is that because the Smart TV is an Internet-connected device, content delivered via the Smart TV is subject to the same restrictions as content accessed with a laptop or desktop computer.

What this means is that Smart TV users outside of the US cannot access Netflix or Hulu on their Smart TV. Those outside of the UK will encounter the same difficulty with the BBC iPlayer. Even those who live in the United States will can encounter restrictions, especially in the streaming of sporting events. Local market blackouts are widely used by all major sporting leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

In addition, Smart TV’s are also subject to the same security concerns as any other device. Streaming media and accessing the Web without some type of encryption can put your device at risk for harmful malware, spyware, and also expose your sensitive data to prying eyes.

Unrestricted access and improved security are the primary reasons why you need to consider using a VPN with your Smart TV. It might sound complicated to set up and configure, but the truth is that setting up a VPN on your Smart TV is a simple process. We sell many VPN accounts, come get yours!

Setting up a VPN on your Smart TV

The first step is to purchase your VPN access from VPNaccounts.com. We’ll provide all of the information you need to get started. Next, you’re going to need a special flashed router that will enable the configuration of the VPN on your Smart TV. You can get one at a very reasonable price from www.dd-routers.com.

The flashed router allows you to share the VPN connection between your computer and your Smart TV. It also provides an “always-on” capability for your VPN connection so that you can keep your TV connected. Simple instructions are provided with a flash router, and we are happy to help with any questions you may have regarding configuration. To get started click here to buy a VPN.

Something else to consider: you need to use the PPTP VPN protocol with your Smart TV. In some countries that heavily restrict Internet access, the PPTP protocol can be unstable. Please feel free to contact us for advice in using the PPTP protocol.

VPNaccounts.com does not place restrictions on your bandwidth, and the connection speed you will enjoy is virtually the same as your normal Internet connection. This is important because streaming media requires bandwidth and speed.

Once you have all of the necessary element assembled…your Smart TV, your VPN account, and your router…simply follow the directions provided to enable VPN connectivity on your device. Most Smart TV’s make the process easy by using a menu that will walk you through the process step-by-step. We want to stress again that we will help you to the best of our ability should you encounter any difficulties.