Guest Post: How to Watch Anything, Anywhere
About the Author: Caroline is an internet security and entertainment specialist. While at first glance, these things might not appear to go together, they frequently overlap. To see how this plays out, check out her article on SecureThoughts.com about how to watch American Netflix.
There’s nothing more bothersome than not being able to watch what you want, when you want. Nearly everyone has encountered a time when they’ve stumbled upon a blocked video here or there or found that they can’t find any good movies playing on TV when they’re ready to kick back and relax to a great film. Thankfully, RajaReviews.com has been kind enough to allow me to share some tips so you too can watch anything, anywhere. Before you begin watching, don’t forget to check out these reviews of some of these must-watch movies.
It’s not always easy to be able to find a good selection of movies or TV shows to watch when you’re traveling. But with tablets and smartphones getting larger, the ability to watch videos while on the go is becoming more sought after. Unfortunately for some travelers, their options may be really limited, mobile device or not.
Most streaming services use geo-restriction, meaning that you may not be able to access every video they have to offer, especially if you’re traveling outside of the country. With services like Netflix, the selection is often specific to the country you live in, and up until recently, they didn’t even allow anyone to use their services outside of the United States.
So how can you watch anything, anywhere, bypassing geo-restrictions when necessary?
A Virtual Private Network
The key to getting past those geo-restrictions is a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is a remote server that encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address (which is used to determine your location). By using a VPN service, you can select from a list of different locations and connect to the server located in that particular area.
When online, you will appear as though you’re located where the remote server is, allowing you to unblock geo-restricted content. For example, if you want to watch American Netflix, you’ll simply connect to one of the servers located in the United States before you access Netflix’s site. The same goes for any other website that you might want to unblock.
An additional bonus to using a VPN service is that not only will it allow you to watch videos that would typically be blocked, but it’ll also secure your connection while doing so and allow you to protect your privacy while using the internet.
Stream
There are several streaming services available that can be accessed on your mobile devices so chances are you’ll be able to find what you’re looking for on one of them. You can also use some of them on your game consoles or smart TV. Netflix is arguably one of the best services for streaming movies, and for a low price, it’s worth subscribing to. You’re able to watch in high definition with closed captions (if you prefer), and it’s entirely commercial free.
They also have a wide selection of movies, categorizing them into genres and subgenres so you can easily find a move that you’re in the mood for. Netflix also has some TV series on hand, though it’s unlikely you’ll find the most recent episodes (Hulu is a better option for that). Like most streaming services though, the content varies, and it changes regularly.
There are other options than Netflix for streaming too, many of which are also affordable and worthwhile.
Hulu
Like Netflix, Hulu can be used on a variety of different devices. Their price is similar, but unlike Netflix, they haven’t decided to provide services to any countries other than the United States and Japan. You’ll still need a VPN for Hulu if you live outside of their service areas, but the library of movies they offer to their subscribers is rather impressive considering that they didn’t have many to offer in the past.
Hulu is especially useful for those who would like to keep up with TV shows though, as they have episodes of some series available the day after they premiere on cable TV.
YouTube
YouTube has a variety of movies you can watch from your mobile device, and their app makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. You can also access YouTube on game consoles and smart TVs, making it a good option for streaming. Movies are available; though many of them will require you pay to view them.
On a lucky occasion, you might be able to find a couple of movies to stream for free on YouTube, though they generally try to remove those. Overall, it’s still worth searching through, and it offers some original content that’s sure to entertain you when you don’t quite have enough time to watch an entire movie.
Flixpack
There’s also Flixpack, a relatively new service that allows you read and share reviews about films and discover things you might not otherwise watch. It’s a great place to find links to stream free stuff on YouTube or Vimeo (complete with the reviews, of course). Their content encompasses mostly Indian and English movies and had more selections than you can imagine, so check it out.
Other Options
There are, of course, many other streaming services available too, some of which you might already have access to! If you subscribe to cable TV, your service provider might offer online streaming from their website or an app on your mobile device.
Though Netflix, Hulu and YouTube are some of the most popular around the globe (despite their restrictions), why not access as much of a variety as possible? Hulu will, of course, be a great place to stream American films and TV shows, but if you’re looking for other movies, this list of streaming services is likely to be helpful.
Watching anything, anywhere can be somewhat of a challenge at times, but with a little searching, you’re certain to find what you’re looking for. Best of all, you will be able to access the whole internet if you use a VPN service (so you won’t have to stick to censored material or limit your viewing options). With a smartphone or tablet on hand and the right tools, you’ll be on your way to watching anything, anywhere in no time!
Do you have a favorite streaming service that you use to watch movies on the go? Let us know about it in the comments section.
