Hi, I just bought a 4k TV from TCL and tried to install all of my streaming apps. It has Google OS installed. First red flag on the built in OS was that I can’t choose US as a region in setting the TV up. Maybe the kind of TV region locked as I live in the Philippines.
I was able to install Netflix, Youtube, Apple TV, and Plex. However, I also have subscription to Hulu, Disney+ and HBO Max. I was able to install HBO Max thanks to an APK site. I tried also installing Hulu and Disney+ with an APK but it didn’t work. It shows device not compatible after installing.
Would a Apple TV 4k be a good investment for easier access to US-only apps? Also, I can’t be sure if my VPN (Torguard) is available on the Apple TV App Store. Are VPNs allowed there?
The Apple TV does not have a VPN setting build in - you will need to look into a DNS service. Your TV would be able to use that as well.
In short - buy the ATV for the user experience, but when in comes to connection is either straight WiFi or Ethernet.
Your router might be able to support a VPN setup and then the ATV will honour it, since it is does not know anything different.
You can buy the Chromecast with Google TV. It has VPN apps that you can use to stream US streaming services. Or you can buy an Apple TV 4K and a VPN router. I tried both and settled with the latter. I like the quality of Apple TV over Google TV OS. I get better video quality, smooth OS and better integration with Apple ecosystem (HomePod OG/Mini as speaker or AirPods Max/Pro).
Edit:
Option 1 is the affordable and easier option. You only need to have a US Google account to install apps.
Option 2 is more expensive but worth it if you have multiple Apple devices. I liked the Spatial Audio Stereo/Multichannel/Dolby Atmos on movies when using AirPods Max. For this to work, you need to buy a VPN router with OpenVPN support. A lot of VPN providers support OpenVPN protocol for routers. You need to follow their instructions. I use Surfshark VPN and GL INet AX1800 WiFi 6 router (available on Shopee). You need to have US Apple ID to install US streaming apps, setup Apple TV region to US and time zone based on your VPN server.
Check out streamlocator, it works with the appletv. Works abroad for every subscription service I have (appletv, Hulu, Netflix, prime, dazn, hbomax, peacock,paramount, epix). There is a Reddit thread for it as well as a discord.
You’ve downloaded the Android Phone version of the Hulu and Disney apps. You need the Android TV version of those apps. They are available on a popular APK site, just make sure the words (Android TV) appear next to the app title.
For Disney+ the thing you can do and work is to use your phone to open the vpn and airplay the Disney+ movie to the Apple TV.
For some reason the ATV will be able to get the movie in 4k dv (even IMAX) without having to be connected to any VPN.
So depending of the app (Netflix doesn’t allow AirPlay to Apple TV) you can use the vpn from the phone or iPad, launch the movie on this and airplay to tv.
I can only confirm that for Disney+ since I don’t have other app for confirmation
I have express and both the smartdns and VPN on my router work well. I usually just use the smartdns, although I don’t need to as much since I can access HBO, Disney, and have a good Netflix selection.
The one thing it struggles with is playing live tv through apps for some reason–like I couldn’t play the live stream off paramount plus. I can play live games off the ESPN app though.
Hi, I am in Europe and use smartDNS system to access all of major us, uk and other streaming services at the same time on my appletv. You only have to change the DNS server in settings , update your IP in the system when it changesand that is it!
This is better than pure VPN for me, since you stream using your full speed internet connection. For streaming, this is great, for anything else, use VPN.
I will put my affiliate link to the service I use, so feel free to test it, all the info is on their page, I am using it for over 4 years now and am very happy. Everything should work, just be sure you have an US apple account, you can change region in some cases, but you can always make a new apple account with US region selected… Have fun!
Before you spend money on additional hardware, see if there is a workaround available to let you change the region on your new TV. I bought a new Samsung panel last month and it didn’t let me choose the region when I set it up, so I couldn’t install US apps like Hulu, for example. However, I googled and there is a way to change the TV’s region after all.
Next, check if your VPN offers DNS settings to access content outside your region. If it does, you should be able to change your TV’s (or your router’s) network settings to enable this, and you should be all set!
Don’t get me wrong, the Apple TV unit is great, but it’s quite a bit of $ and you may be able to make things work with the hardware you’ve already got. Of course, go ahead and get yourself a 2021 4K model if that’s what you want; you won’t be disappointed!
I’m not really familiar with DNS settings. Is that changable within the Apple TV? Or do I have to change my router? I think my ISP provided router doesn’t have options on changing it.
Also I would like the option to turn on or turn off the VPN since other shows are available locally. Can you do that with DNS?
OMG, I didn’t notice it. No wonder it’s not working. This is my first android device so I had no idea that it had a difference. Lol. But after installing, it is so slow for some reason.
Maybe my TV can’t handle the 4K UHD. Tried it on Disney+. Maybe I need a dedicated hardware.
I checked and my spare router doesn’t support DDWRTS or something. That’s the thing for the VPN and DNS, right? So I would have to buy one if needed. Can I change the DNS on my Apple TV instead of buying more hardware?
Thanks for the suggestion on a service! Sadly I would need a service that offers VPN and SmartDNS. My partner uses VPN while I will be using both. The DNS is just for the Apple TV.