Virtual Private Networks can be great for providing security and getting you access to video content not available in your country, but if you are only using a VPN with your computer, you may be stuck watching those videos on your tiny computer or phone screen.
You have that big, beautiful TV for a reason. You want to watch your video on it. So, why settle?
You can connect a VPN for your Smart TV LG, Samsung, Sony, or any other brand and get all of the benefits you have on your computer, but with a much bigger screen with better resolution.
It’s not hard or expensive. You can do it right now.
In this article, we’ll show you how.
The primary purpose of using a Virtual Private Network with your Smart TV is to allow you to get around geo-restrictions.
Video content providers like Hulu, Netflix, and others limit access to some content based on the location of the viewer.
For example, when Star Trek: Discovery came out, it was available on Netflix, but only to people outside the United States.
Regular U.S. Netflix users were out of luck, but by using a VPN with a server in another country, a person in the U.S. could watch the show.
Similarly, some content is restricted only to the U.S. or other geographic regions.
VPNs can bypass those restrictions by running your connection through servers in a country that has access to the content.
In addition, VPNs provide an additional level of security, protection, and privacy as you use your Smart TV.
There are several ways to set up your Smart TV to use a VPN. Each has its own benefits and downsides.
In addition, your options will be limited by the type of Smart TV you have, your technical know-how, your computer, and your willingness to spend a little money.
Below we’ll outline your options and help you decide which is best for you.
The advantage of this is not having to run your connection through your computer, but the disadvantage is that the VPN will only be available to your Smart TV if you set up your VPN on your other devices independently.
Also, many TV’s don’t use the Android OS. So, there’s a good chance this option isn’t available to you.
For example, if you need a VPN for your Smart TV from LG, you’ll need another option because LG uses a different OS.
If your VPN doesn’t offer a VPN router, there are third-party vendors who offer pre-flashed routers you can use to install your VPN, and many will even do that installation for you, though possibly for an additional fee.
If you are super-technical and feel comfortable flashing your own router, you can do that as well, though we urge extreme caution.
If you make a mistake, you can render your router useless and you will have to buy a new one.
The advantage of VPN routers is that you don’t have to connect your TV to your computer and the VPN is available to all your devices which run through your router.
The disadvantage is that you either have to spend some extra money on it or risk flashing the router yourself.
You will connect your TV to your PC using an Ethernet cable and then run your TV’s internet connection through your PC, sharing your computer’s VPN connection.
The advantage of using your PC is that you don’t have to create a new VPN connection since you are using your computer’s pre-existing connection.
The downside is that you have to have a PC and your computer must be on and connected to your Smart TV for this to work.
However, it needs to connect to your Mac’s USB port. So, you will need to use an Ethernet cable to connect to your TV and then use an Ethernet to USB adapter to connect to your Mac’s USB port.
Like the PC, the advantage of using your Mac is that you don’t have to create a new VPN connection since you are using your computer’s pre-existing connection.
The downside is that you have to have a Mac and your computer must be on and connected to your Smart TV for this to work.
We recommend using one of the following VPNs due to their reliability and streaming features:
You have read the advantages and disadvantages to the various methods of connecting your smart TV to a VPN and find which VPNs are best to use with your smart TV.
Now, it’s time to set up your Smart TV to use a VPN.
Below you will find step-by-step instructions for the various methods.
Scroll down to the method you have chosen, follow the steps, and then enjoy the new found freedom and security of using a VPN with your Smart TV.
Please note that we are assuming that you have already signed up for your preferred VPN as you follow these instructions.
If your Smart TV uses the Android operating system, you should be able to install a VPN app directly on your Smart TV. Here’s how:
You’re all set up. Now, you should be able to watch Internet videos with the added security of a VPN as well as the geographic location of that VPN server.
The VPN router can be the easiest setup on this list. If you purchase a pre-flashed, pre-loaded VPN router, then it should be plug and play.
Just plug the ethernet cable from your TV into the router or connect wirelessly and enjoy.
Check the instructions that came with your router in case there are additional steps.
If you’ve decided to flash your router yourself, you can find some basic instructions below.
We’re going to link to the specific flashware instructions rather than writing out instructions because we’re not sure how frequently the flashing software’s instructions are going to change.
Before you continue, we want to warn you once again: flashing your router incorrectly can cause your router to become completely unusable.
We highly recommend that you do not flash your own router unless you are very knowledgeable and comfortable with flashing.
There are two flashing software options which we recommend, DD-WRT and Tomato.
With your VPN running right on your router, enjoy the security and geographic flexibility on all your devices at your home.
You should be good to go. Any settings you have for your computer’s VPN connection should now be shared with your TV.
Note: You must always have your PC connected to your Smart TV and turned on for this connection to work.
That’s it. You are now sharing your Mac’s VPN server with all its security and the server’s location.
Note: You must always have your Mac connected to your Smart TV and turned on for this connection to work.
You don’t need to limit yourself to watching geo-restricted content on your computer or phone screen.
Connecting your Smart TV to a VPN is quick and easy and completely worth the setup.
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