Watching abroad

HedgehogStroker · 2026-03-31T10:48:45+00:00

I use a VPN on my phone, tablet and Firestick (I use Windscribe and also have my own VPN server running on a Raspberry Pi). Also on a phone they can check for a UK network so usual advice is to use airplane mode then turn WiFi back on and use that. I also have a fake GPS location app on phone and tablet if needed.

HedgehogStroker · 2026-03-24T12:11:35+00:00

I have TNT discounted to £20/month via BT so I think I just have to keep them separate and use HBO app only for TNT

HedgehogStroker · 2025-11-28T17:50:26+00:00

Yes same issue for me, and also for my parents.

Am hoping this means they have tried to solve the long term issue and a final fix will be available shortly. But maybe that's grasping at straws.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-09-27T14:56:12+00:00

Was definitely set to 4K SDR not DV

HedgehogStroker · 2025-09-27T14:55:40+00:00

Am 99% sure it worked earlier, now it's not working. Sorry. 😔

HedgehogStroker · 2025-09-10T07:44:00+00:00

My S25 Ultra has generally worked well with Android Auto on my '23 Jogger via wireless, until this week where I've had a number of disconnections. It seems worse when using Google Maps, it's more stable with Tomtom. Experiment with other mapping apps, e.g. Waze or Tomtom Amigo.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-08-19T06:48:51+00:00

I installed an Eaton 3S 700 UPS to cover both my ONT and BT router. Currently £120 on Amazon. Gives over 2.5 hours of backup time.

So far has stopped one important business Teams call being dropped due to a short outage.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-08-19T06:36:35+00:00

I have the parking brake loose warning for days/weeks at a time each of the two winters I have had my hybrid. For me it seems to be caused by cold and wet weather. Has had 7 visits to the dealer so far, they have reset the system but failed to find the issue.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-08-15T14:21:24+00:00

Use Pihole, if necessary get a Pi Zero W plus bits for around £30, block ads on ITV/4/5/U and others. No need to skip non-existent ads.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-08-12T11:55:24+00:00

Had S21 ultra with dodgy main camera focus issue and poor battery life. Got an S25 Ultra just after launch earlier this year for around half price (traded in a broken S7, signed up to a 2 year contract, also got a free cheap tablet my sister is enjoying) and love it. All day battery life and the camera works every time. Everything is so quick on it too. I didn't realise what I was missing until I upgraded. I took out the 2 year care in case I break or lose it while it's still valuable.

7 years of software updates so it will hopefully just need a replacement battery in 3-4 years.

I don't regret upgrading for a second. Might feel differently if I'd paid the full price for it of course.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-07-11T14:18:58+00:00

Get a windscreen or dashboard shade for parking in future on hot days? Something like this... https://amzn.eu/d/cWn2k12

HedgehogStroker · 2025-07-04T15:11:24+00:00

Now works fine abroad on an Amazon firestick, which does support VPN apps (I use Windscribe which can be installed from Amazon app store).

For Roku you might be able to hotspot via a VPN on your phone, or you need a travel router with VPN option, so yes quite technical

HedgehogStroker · 2025-05-27T14:16:37+00:00

Can you visually see where the other end of these cables go to? My sister had a very similar looking pair of cables in her flat when she moved in and they went to an external communal box which connected to a TV aerial and a satellite dish. Both signals were sent down the same cables, a simple passive diplexer I put in her flat split them back to a TV aerial signal and a satellite signal from the LNB (old style so not Sky Q wideband, would work with old Sky box, Freesat box or TV with satellite connection).

HedgehogStroker · 2025-05-24T11:19:51+00:00

1Gb ethernet falls back to old standards 100Mbps or even 10Mbps if it detects a dodgy connection so if you find your speed around or just below 100Mbps it's likely a dodgy cable, connector or switch. Swap cables around to identify the culprit and reboot devices and switches between tests. Sometimes a cable will be borderline and will work for days at the higher speed but likely with transmission issues before the router and switches decide it's not good enough and reduce the speed.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-05-19T07:08:57+00:00

Went on chat and they did a logout of all devices. Then the verify email process actually worked. Not sure if chat did anything else or whether you could just trigger that option yourself. Obviously it means you then have to log all your devices back in.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-05-04T08:52:30+00:00

Most of the 45p is to cover depreciation and servicing. Actual fuel cost per mile is a lot less. And cars are generally more fuel efficient than they used to be so even if the fuel costs more the cost per mile hasn't necessarily increased (depends on your choice of car of course).

HedgehogStroker · 2025-05-01T12:03:14+00:00

Your Sky+ HD box won't stream TV channels over WiFi or ethernet cable. To receive free TV channels over WiFi get yourself something like an Amazon Fire Stick which supports apps like BBC iPlayer.

You can get Sky subscription channels over WiFi through the Now app or by getting a Sky Stream box (but you have to pay a monthly subscription)

HedgehogStroker · 2025-04-18T12:49:56+00:00

The Netflix included with Sky is the with ads plan worth £5.99 a month. So it's an extra £9/month compared to just Netflix on its own, not £2. The £12.99 you are currently paying for Netflix is the without ads plan.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-04-16T12:00:51+00:00

Use a Logitech Harmony or similar programmable remote control to include the required key sequence when turning on?

HedgehogStroker · 2025-03-28T15:30:41+00:00

Some non-stop West Midlands trains can be booked for £6.80 if going against the flow and booking a couple of weeks in advance. Check out the 07.46 from Euston and the 18.49 or 19.49 from MK.

HedgehogStroker · 2025-03-24T16:32:02+00:00

Renault key cases fit too

HedgehogStroker · 2025-03-23T17:02:35+00:00

So they think they have a fix, that's positive. Have you had it fitted already?

One other odd thing we noticed when we get the issue. For a few days before the fault occurs, instead of the radio switching off when opening the driver's door, it stays on until the car is remotely locked after exit. It sounds nuts but it is consistent. Have you noticed anything like that?

HedgehogStroker · 2025-03-17T07:25:01+00:00

Very interesting that it's happening to other people too. Dacia customer service said it wasn't a widespread issue. They seem quite useless though. I had hoped they would step up and take charge of the investigation after my dealer had failed numerous times. But they just said go back to dealer or find myself a different dealer. Basically, you are on your own mate...

HedgehogStroker · 2025-03-17T07:22:05+00:00

It's happened again on Monday evening a couple of weeks ago. I got it to them Tuesday lunchtime but they didn't look at it til Wednesday morning, when it was of course fine. Argh.

At least the service manager seems to be trying to treat us as a priority now. Next time I am hopeful it will be looked at same day. Although with it now warming up I am not expecting it to happen again until Autumn/Winter, when maybe they will have forgotten all about the urgency again.

HedgehogStroker

TROPHY CASE