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How to get Netflix in the Philippines

Netflix is an online video-on-demand (VOD) service that gives unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows. Others out there are Hulu, HBOGo, and Crackle.

I have been happily using Netflix since August accessing via iPhone, iPad, Mac, AppleTV and PS3. With thousands of content at my beck and call from indie films to popular TV shows and documentaries, I find no need to continue my cable subscription.

Netflix has been recently adding their own original content in the mix. With House of Cards winning multiple awards, it is hard to argue that the Netflix team are dead serious about producing their original content - especially now that the distributors are playing hard ball with them.

Netflix may be online but they don't have distribution rights to all their licensed content worldwide. This means all access to these content are limited to just certain part of the world. If you try accessing, it will tell you that "Netflix is not available in your country yet even if you borrow your relative's Netflix US account.

You will also need a US Credit Card to sign up a subscription as your local platinum card will not do.

How can one get Netflix access in the Philippines? I'll run you through some pointers.

How to sign-up for Netflix service? There are 2 ways:

Option 1: VPN (Virtual Private Network) The oldest method of all to spoof website of your location. VPN is a service that provides your computer or device a secure connection while also giving you an IP address of a different location other than your own (depends on which IP you choose). There are VPN services that allow you to choose and modify your IP address on the fly. Others only have a certain number of IP addresses on certain countries. I've used a couple of VPN services since August. So far, HMA is the best of the bunch.

To be able to access Netflix, you need to set your IP address to an IP address located in the US. It is best to choose an IP address where you want to access the content. If the content you want to access is locked in the US, then you need to choose an IP address from the US. VPN is usually priced around $4.99 up to $9.99 a month depending on the service provider. Getting an annual subscription is way cheaper.

Pros:

Netflix content access from other countries just set your IP address to that country like UK

website and other services access that is available only to certain countries

can be used to get streaming services like Spotify, Rdio, Pandora, Crackle, Hulu, HBOGo, etc.

connection is transmitted securely and your IP is set on a different location

Cons:

hard to set-up; you need to manually connect every time you use it

since VPN needs to go through another server to secure your connection, your internet speed is affected as your connection still has to go through another server before it goes to Netflix, then goes back to your VPN server before it gets transmitted back to you

VPN only works on a per-device level that supports VPN. You need a specialized/custom hardware that you can configure to connect with VPN. Most devices that connects with your TV such as PS3, Wii, AppleTV, Roku can't be configured with a VPN so the only work around is to have a router that could.

Option 2: DNS (Domain Name System) I actually don't know how DNS works but based on experience it's actually better than using a VPN, IMHO. It's easier to set-up and it is now my recommended method in accessing Netflix. For this method I signed up for PlaymoTV1. PlaymoTV lets you connect to various video/music streaming site. It's easier to set-up, just sign up to the service and it will provide you with a DNS server that you can configure on your devices. Once set-up you don't need to even manually connect like VPN does. You just need to restart your device and thats it. There is a 7-day trial on PlaymoTV so sign up if you want to try the service. Monthly subscription start at $4.99 and annual subscription is $49.99.

Pros:

easy to set-up than VPN

connection is faster and more focus on streaming content

cheaper than VPN

works on most home entertainment box and gaming console

access to most VOD/music streaming sites in the US

Cons:

not all US-only site/services is supported

you can only access Spotify on their website. It won't work on the desktop app or mobile app

How to pay for Netflix service? I'm lucky to have two sisters in the US that are both subscribed to Netflix. Both are happy to provide me their account but to me, I still prefer to pay for services that I use. I don't like piggybacking on others people's account plus it also helps Netflix to keep afloat and pay their bills.

I only found one method to pay for Netflix (or other US-only service) and that is GCASH Amex Virtual Pay by Globe Telecom. GCASH Amex is mostly advertised for online shopping. I was surprised it worked when I tried using it on US-only streaming sites to sign up for a trial.

Since I'm on Globe postpaid, I am also allowed to spend Php500 on top of my bill using GCASH Amex. With that, I don't need to transfer any money every month just to pay for my Netflix account since PhP500 ($11) is more than enough for Netflix basic subscription for $7.99 (PhP364.002) a month.

The Basic subscription lets you watch on two devices simultaneously. There's also a family account that lets you use Netflix on four screens. Since both my sisters only pay for basic subscription, with kids in their respective homes, it's just not right for me to use their accounts.

If you're only planning to subscribe to numerous services other than Netflix, Hulu Plus, Crackle, etc and will only use it on your computer–I suggest you get a VPN account and just connect your computer to your TV. That way, you also have access to US-only web-content anywhere you go. But if you're like me who wants to watch Netflix on numerous devices like PS3, Wii and AppleTV, the best way to go is PlaymoTV.

Update 1

Someone from Facebook pointed out that you can use a local credit card to pay for Netflix. I tried researching the method and it turns out that you just need to change your credit card's ZIP code to a US zip code since Netflix doesn't verify it. You may have a problem with your bank issuer if it doesn't allow it as some user posted. Also another cheaper DNS is also available for only $1.99 a month called Adfreetime. I'll check if this method is faster than the one I am currently using.

Update 2

I've tested my local credit card (HSBC) and it is working on Netflix and Hulu. I was able to sign up to both service by altering my Zip code to match a code from US. Also, got a report from another user that his Citibank credit card also worked using this trick.

Update 3

DNS Service may work for a few days after your trial ends but it will eventually check your location and it will stop working. So it's better to subscribe a day before/after your trial ends to be able to enjoy your Netflix viewing.

Update 4

You can now switch to different Netflix regions thru Playmo. Somehow I prefer Netflix UK since they have US shows/movies that is not available in the US, there’s Better Call Saul, Homeland, Modern Family, etc. Netflix France has British shows like Downtown Abbey. I can just easily login to Playmo on my phone to switch regions. You only need to restart your streaming device. You can read more about it here.

This post contains affiliate link to PlaymoTV. If you like my post and would like to sign up on PlaymoTV, please consider clicking my link. This blog is personal no affiliation whatsoever with Globe Telecom, Netflix, PlaymoTV 

This is an affiliate link. ↩︎

Since I wasn't able to buy a physical copy today. I'm opting for the digital version and double dip when I find a copy. #SandmanOverture

Left-handed mode please

My left hand on a Magic Trackpad and Wacom Pen and sometimes for keyboard shortcut. My right hand for the mouse and keyboard. A new pointing device (LeapMotion) is sandwiched between my keyboard and wacom tablet. This is my designer mode on my desk.

Using Sketch App today made me realize that there are so many app that do not have a left-handed mode. You see, on Sketch App, the keyboard shortcut for zoom tool is Z key which is positioned on the left1. I am, however, so used to Adobe's ⌘ + spacebar shortcut keys (can be easily accessed on left or right side of the keyboard) that I find it very difficult to scrub zoom using Z key2.

ATTENTION DEVELOPERS: ARE YOU EVEN THINKING ABOUT LEFTIES?

Seven to 10% of the world population are left-handed. If we do our math correctly, 10% of 6.91 billion people … That's 691 million left-handed people! Somehow, app developers have forgotten about us. They should rethink their interface for left-handed users too.

On desktop, some lefties use their mouse with their left-hand but I trained myself to use it with my right hand just to keep up with the norms. I know that I can easily switch my mouse to my left if I wanted to since you can easily change the mouse settings and mice on the Mac is evenly shaped (with just one button) that it wouldn't take hard for me to use it normally with my left hand. But since I added a Wacom tablet as my primary device it's even more apparent that some of the desktop apps are not optimized for left-handed. I am thankful for keyboard shortcut customization and tool panels that I can re-arrange and tweak for my needs. Most left-handed Wacom user prefer to have the tablet situated on their left. But I find it easier to position it on the front so it's hard for me to use my right hand to touch the left-side of my keyboard. PopClip by Pilotmoon is one of the tools on my Mac that helps me get thru the day. PopClip is a utiliy app that overlays an iOS style copy&paste on any app on my Mac. Some of my left-handed Wacom touting friends loved it.Normally on desktop I can live with some of the apps not having left-handed mode because of the availability of keyboard shortcuts and panels that you can move around. But on mobile most of the time it's a world of pain.

On mobile the need for a left-handed mode is more apparent especially when using your phone with just one hand (especially with the iPhone5). Reaching out with your thumb to reach out critical buttons that is build for right-handed people is a nuinsance sometimes. In mobile there are only a few mobile apps that I can recall that have left-handed mode. The first app I've seen employ this is Ecoute App for iOS. I am one of the beta-testers of the app and seeing a left-hand mode for the first time my initial thought was "Do I need to enable this? I am already used to apps that are designed for right-handed that enabling this won't change a thing." Now it's the default mode of the app for me, I could no longer go back to the normal mode ever since I enabled the left-hand mode. The play button is now easier to reach and the controls are optimized for my left thumb.

The iPhone 5 taller screen makes it much more apparent that we need a left-hand mode. Think about it left-handed peeps. Tweetbot with left-hand mode, we don't need to extend our left thumb on the upper portion of the app or worse use our right hand just to click compose button. Be able to easily click the Stream button on Instacast. Compose button on Day One on the left. So on and so forth. How it would make all lefties life so much easy just by switching the most commonly used button on the left.

Out of the 250+ apps that I have on all my device, only Ecoute is the only app that I know that has a left-handed mode. I wish there are more. If Apple would also consider a system wide option for left-handed on accessibility I would love it but right now I don't think that it's a possible inclusion in newly announced update to iOS. What I would love is if developers would also start considering placing a left-hand mode on their app. I'd love to hear some more apps that has left-handed mode, I know there are already existing apps that has it. But right now, most of the apps I have don't have it. And it is a lot.

And to all lefties out there, Happy Left Hander's Day!

they are currently working on keyboard customization to address this. ↩︎

I created a new artwork on Sketch app to show what the app can do besides User Interface design. Creating complex/abstract illustration is super easy on Sketch App. To see how the artwork was made you can download the file below to familiarize your self with what you can do with Sketch app.

What made Instagram compelling is that it does one thing that it's best at: taking photos and looking at photos of your friends. I hope they didn't add this feature just to spite Twitter and Vine.

Instagram video not only made loading slow and buggy, it also auto-played videos. Let's hope you're not checking instagram while on a meeting with your volume way up.

iOS7 Control Center icons on Sketch App

Control Center is the most requested feature on iOS and I'm so delighted to see that it will be available on iOS7. So I decided to re-create it on Sketch App for your mock up needs. They are free to use but please do not distribute them as your own and always link it back here if you want to share them to your friends. Enjoy!

How I keep track of my vinyl records

I don't have a really big collection of vinyl records yet but as of now I am starting to keep track of each so I won't have to worry about it when it becomes big and unmanageable. It's so easy to lose track of what you have when your collection starts pushing into a hundred. Right now we only have about 52 albums in our collection. It grew up so fast since we bought our first player 1 last year. We buy new stuff and old stuff ranging from 60's up to the present. When you listen to different range of music and different era, this is just a very small collection to what I have stored in my iTunes.

Enter Delicious Library 3 by Delicious Monster. It's a Mac app that catalouges your physical collection. It may be you books, DVDs, Blu-Rays, Audio CD, vinyl records, toys and even your shirt collection. If you're someone who has over a hundred of physical items in your collection this app comes in handy so you wouldn't have to buy a second copy by mistake2. It also serve as a way to track loaned items so you don't have to worry about who borrowed which item. What I love about this new upgrade is that I can now use my iPhone to scan barcodes of my item and it sync directly to the app making it easier to scan multiple items. It also have a handy chart that it generates depending on your items, giving you a list of what your collection's value and how much you paid for it making it easy for you to also sell your items online or get a complete value of all of the items for insurance purposes.

The only sad part about the app is that it only connects thru Amazon's database. For vinyl collectors, Amazon is not a really good source for old and rare vinyls. Scanning barcodes also won't work if your vinyl is locally pressed outside the US3. I would really love it more if they would add more comprehensive database for music such as Discog. I just hope that the devs would actively add other sources as it was the most requested feature since version 1. But right now, this is the system that I used and it's also the system I've been using for ten years to keep track of my books, DVDs and Audio CD. So I still highly recommend this app for collectors out there. Keeping an excel sheet of all your physical items is not the way to go.

Also, If you're planning to start your own collection or buy your very first player, head to Satchmi website. They have a wide variety of LPs that covers multiple genres. They also sell they own portable player called The Motorino.

You can check out my collection here conveniently published thru the Delicious Library app.

The Motorino by Satchmi ↩︎

happens to me most of the time. ↩︎