Panasonic Smart TV Smart DNS Services Compared
Smart TVs have gained huge popularity in recent times, due to their ability to combine ordinary HD television functions with online services. Panasonic are one of the market leaders when it comes to Smart TVs and their devices include a number of easy-to-use streaming media apps, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, BBC iPlayer and a whole lot more.
However, some of these services offer a completely different content library from region to region. Unfortunately, most of them detect a user's region automatically, via their internet connection, and do not allow for region-switching. Thankfully, Smart DNS services can be used with a Panasonic Smart TV, in order to access other regions and broaden the range of streaming media available.
Best Smart DNS Services to use on Panasonic Smart TV
» View the Step-by-Step Smart DNS Setup Tutorial for Panasonic Smart TV
- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Mac OS X,
- Nexus Player,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sonos,
- Sony Smart TV,
- Toshiba Smart TV,
- WDTV,
- Wii,
- Wii U,
- Windows,
- Windows 10,
- Windows Phone 8,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
30 Days Moneyback Guarantee
- 1 Month: $4.95/Mo
- 6 Months: $4.58/Mo
- 12 Months: $4.16/Mo
- 24 Months: $3.29/Mo
- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
- Apple TV,
- Boxee,
- Chromebook,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Linux,
- Mac OS X,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sony Smart TV,
- Toshiba Smart TV,
- WDTV,
- Wii,
- Wii U,
- Windows,
- Windows 10,
- Windows Phone 8,
- Xbox 360,
- Xbox One,
- 1 Month: $4.90
- 3 Months: $12.90
- 12 Months: $39.90
- 24 Months: $49.90
- Life Time: $150
Smart DNS
Smart DNS technology was created specifically for use with streaming media services and allows for simple region switching on a wide range of devices, including Panasonic Smart TVs. Smart DNS works by re-routing a customers DNS queries via a proxy server located somewhere else in the world. This disguises their true location, making it seem as if they are in the location of the server instead.
Due to the fact that most streaming video services automatically detect a user's region via their internet settings, this technology can be used to circumvent geo-blocking, giving customers access to new services and/or a wider range of content. For example, by connecting to an American server, a user will appear as if they are located in the US and gain access to that region's content libraries.
Smart DNS' re-routing process only affects supported websites and services, so other browsing is not impacted at all. Moreover, unlike with some similar services, Smart DNS does not negatively impact upon internet speeds, meaning that the quality and speed of streaming is not affected.
Step-By-Step Smart DNS Setup
Another major plus point of Smart DNS technology is that it is relatively easy to setup. Upon registering for a service, you will be provided with new DNS settings, which must be changed on the device you wish to use. To do this on a Panasonic Smart TV, follow the instructions below:
- Press 'Setup' (or 'Settings'), then go to 'Network' and select 'Network Connection'.
- On the next page, write down the numbers next to 'IP Address', as these may be needed later. Then select the relevant network connection type.
- Select 'Network Settings', then press 'OK'.
- Choose 'Custom', scroll down to 'DNS Settings Mode' and change it to 'Manual'.
- Enter the DNS settings given to you by your Smart DNS provider, then save the settings. It may be wise to take a note of your previous DNS settings, in case you ever wish to change back to them again in the future.
After completing the main setup process, it is important to restart the TV before proceeding any further. After doing so, there is another important aspect of the setup process which must be completed before using the Smart DNS service.
IP Address Entry
To work with a Panasonic TV, Smart DNS services will also need the device's IP address. Many Smart DNS services will be able to detect this IP address automatically if you sign into your account through the television's built-in internet browser.
However, some other services need the IP address to be added to their database manually, via their website. If this is the case, simply follow the step-by-step guide above, up to point number two, to find your IP address, then add it to the database by following the instructions offered by your Smart DNS service provider.
It is also worth noting that IP addresses can change on a fairly frequent basis. In this event, for their service to continue to work, your Smart DNS provider will need your new address. If the service automatically detects IP addresses, you can simply log in via the TV web browser and update your internet settings. On the other hand, if the service requires manual IP entry, simply repeat the instructions in the previous paragraph.
Complete Setup
After adding your IP address to the Smart DNS provider's database, the setup process is complete and you can now gain access to a range of new content. To switch regions, use the Panasonic Smart TV's web browser to log in to your Smart DNS account and follow the instructions provided to select your new region. Then, simply launch the app you want to use and you should have access to the content library for the region you chose.
Sadly, with Panasonic Smart TVs, while internet settings can be changed, there is no way of changing the region setting of the actual TV itself. This is a limitation of the TV's firmware and there appears to be no way around it. As a result, users are restricted to using apps which are available in the region they purchased the TV. Nevertheless, a user in the UK can still access Netflix, for example, through the UK apps list and then access the US content library.