Like many who signed us for Netflix Canada you may be disappointed with the sub-par content
compared to USA customers.
I'll share how I got it working on all devices that suited me
PC/Mac, PS3, iPhone.
As you may or may not know, Netflix will only stream content to country the company resides.
for example, your Netflix Canada will not work when traveling out of the country.
I found this when trying to connect while in mexico and a Netflix pop says it detects my IP address being outside of Canada. which it was. The same thing happened when in the USA, which irked me as I assumed that Netflix USA would at least allow me.
After realizing I need to trick Netflix as to my location, my journey begins.
1.) PC\MAC Only :I had seen advertised a service called http://hotspotshield.com
this was an Ad driven service that when launching your web browser you had the option to connect to
their VPN servers. An ad banner would show and an occasional pop-up, but when connected it allowed your Internet Browser to mask its IP address and would show that you indeed had a US IP address.
This allowed access to most "US only" sites like HULU, and other major networks that allowed streaming
of television episodes online.
I found for the most part the pop-up Ad's and performance to be subpar which is what I found with most
"Free" VPN or US-Proxy services.
Still a way to watch US content if you don't mind babysitting the web browser.
2.) A paid for VPN service for all devices.
WAIT! before you stop reading at the "paid" options keep reading.
I researched options and services and reviews. http://www.strongvpn.com/
Strong VPN is the clear winner. It allows for multiple connections and security option.
check it out and the speeds are amazing, as is the options of integration.
I opted for the free trial and 55\year plan which lets me choose what kind of IP I want, UK, US etc.
the server farm across the world makes is a snap.
with my new fast flexible PPTP\IPSEC VPN account I was ready to connect.
I will post more articles on my experience and configuration of STRONG VPN.
3.) A US source of payment is required to create a Netflix USA account.
Canadians have multiple options. The path I took was to establish a US-PAYPAL account.
Free US source Checking accounts have been available to Canadians for quite some time as long as you have to pieces of ID, and can make the trip to the USA to the branch. I was Using WESTCOAST bank, but new US-Federal Policies caused some US_Bank to close accounts to Account holders who did not hold a US- Social Insurance Number. I ended up going with HARRIS Bank www.harrisbank.com.
the application was online, and the mailed me some forms to sign, and voila I now had a US bank account that I could link US-PAYPAL to. The account comes with a Mastercard-CHECKING card.
simular to an Interac\Debit card in Canada. There is no credit on the card but pulls from the checking account when used. It is also managed through Mastercard so it "looks" and "acts" as a credit card for online payments.
cont..
