User profile for user: -cdt-
-cdt- Author
User level: Level 1
28 points

Apple TV Overseas use

I've done a search and found an old topic that touched on the the subject but didn't really answer the question that well.

I'll be going overseas (Japan) for an extended period of time (probably 2 years).

I wanted to get an Apple TV so that I'll be able to watch some American TV, but I've read some articles that says that Apple will "censor" (my word) the shows available based on the IP.

I've read other articles say that the "censorship" is based on the apple ID (where it was registered).

Can anyone tell me the definitive answer?

Also, will I have to buy all the movies and shows I want to watch before I head out - I've read another article that says that once IP identifies another country, iTunes won't let you buy content from another country.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro; PowerMac G4; MacBook, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Mar 8, 2011 5:14 AM

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10 replies
User profile for user: capaho
capaho
User level: Level 4
3,677 points

Mar 8, 2011 6:26 AM in response to -cdt-

If you have a U.S. iTunes account with a U.S. credit card and billing address you will still be able to use it if you log your ATV into the U.S. iTunes store. The Japanese iTunes store also offers movie rentals and purchases, most of which are from the U.S., so that's also an option. You wouldn't be able to use an ATV to watch Netflix in Japan, however.
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User profile for user: AceReporterSL
AceReporterSL
User level: Level 1
5 points

Mar 9, 2011 12:45 PM in response to capaho

I am moving overseas as well and pondered the same thing in order for me to keep up with my shows.

Just to confirm, with movie and TV show rentals, as long as you have a USA billing address and a USA form of payment (basically if you've been using iTunes just fine in the states) then you'll be ok overseas? Netflix won't work, but I assume all things connecting to iTunes, flickr, youtube, etc will then?

Few questions of my own:

1. Slightly off the topic of what was originally asked, but same concern: does Apple TV work with both NTSC (North America) and PAL (European and Asian) system TVs? -cdt- might also be interested in this...

2. Today, it was reported that Apple TV adds MLB.tv and NBA League Pass's streaming online subscriptions. Will this be similar to Netflix in that you cannot view them overseas even if you have an account?

Thanks in advance all.
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User profile for user: capaho
capaho
User level: Level 4
3,677 points

Mar 9, 2011 4:50 PM in response to AceReporterSL

The iTunes store is not using geolocation filtering at present, so as long as you have a valid U.S. iTunes store account you can access it from anywhere. Netflix and other sources like the sports leagues do use geolocation filtering, so you won't be able to access their content outside of the U.S.

I do a lot of international travel and I absolutely hate geolocation filtering. I don't understand the rationale for it, other than that the U.S. media companies simply believe that those shifty foreigners can't be trusted with their content. Imagine the explosion in illegal file swapping that would occur if people overseas could watch Netflix on their iPads.
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User profile for user: capaho
capaho
User level: Level 4
3,677 points

Mar 9, 2011 9:36 PM in response to Andrew Miller

The official 'rationale' is that there are some copyrights and distribution rights restricting broadcasting to some countries.


Yes, that's true. The studios would rather sell the distribution rights to foreign distributors and then restrict access to it on the Internet in order to protect those distributors' markets. It's anti-consumer, but I guess they believe that's more profitable than giving consumers direct access to the content.

But the real reason is money - broadcasters won't make money from shows played outside of their advertisers' market. It is the only reason - the money.


That's an issue that may also come back to the U.S. domestic market. As Internet-based video grows in popularity, there have been some media reports lately that the media companies are having second thoughts about streaming services like Netflix and the rate at which they are adding new subscribers. DVD sales and rentals have dropped off a cliff and most cable TV companies are losing subscribers such that ad revenue is threatened for the cable channels and the networks as well as the overall bottom line for the cable TV companies.

There are rumors that the media companies are considering backing away from online subscriptions and rentals and forcing everyone to buy downloaded content or push them back to discs. That would bring an end to Netflix subscriptions as well as iTunes store rentals.
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User profile for user: denisefromapo
denisefromapo
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 8, 2012 9:21 AM in response to -cdt-

I am going to chime into this discussion because we currently have a love hate relationship with Apple TV. We definitely do buy a lot of seasons of shows and APPLE TV has seriously solved our storage issue. We like being able to stream purchases on our multiple devices. We love the fact that we can subscribe to MLB.TV so that we aren't dependendent on Armed Forces Network deciding to play the games we want to see. We'd love to see this expanded to sports (NFL) and ultimately networks (ESPN, etc.)


The partnership that we are just totally disappointed in is the one with NETFLIX. Because nexflix does not allow streaming overseas and APPLE TV has no possibility of setting a VPN for NETFLIX, that feature is completely MOOT. If APPLE would simply allow a VPN to be inserted for NETFLIX, this would allow for the work around.


We are AMERICANS. We are serving overseas! We are not permanent residents here and if we're really trying to make the devices function around the world...this issue needs to be renegotiated! The world is FLAT...let's not forget that!


Again, iTunes Store and downloads through iTunes, AWESOME! Netflix--one of the major selling points of Apple TV--not working--HIGHLY DISAPPOINTING.

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User profile for user: BAB73
BAB73
User level: Level 1
0 points

Mar 29, 2012 4:47 PM in response to denisefromapo

I also have an ATV and am stationed overseas with my husband. One work around I do for Netflix is that I bought the $40 adaptor that plugs your IPad into your TV via HDMI. I turn on my VPN and stream my Netflix straight to my TV. I have also heard that you can use a VPN on some wireless routers that would allow you to steam Netflix through your ATV since it connects through the wireless router. I haven't put much time into figuring out if this is true or not since the way I am currently doing it works great. Just thought I would share since I understand the frustrations here.

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Apple TV Overseas use

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