Chromecast Smart DNS Services Compared
Google Chromecast is categorised as a HDMI streaming media player and plugs into most HD televisions. This effectively turns the television into a Smart TV, complete with the ability to access the internet. As a result of this, Chromecast is able to offer support for internet-based apps like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, allowing users to stream video media directly onto their television set.
Apps such as Netflix automatically detect the region a user is in through their internet settings and do not allow for manual region switching. It is, therefore, seemingly impossible to access the content library of another region, or to access services which are restricted to customers living in a certain part of the world.
Fortunately, Smart DNS technology offers an effective way around this problem. When used in conjunction with the Google Chromecast device, a Smart DNS service will allow users to change which region they are in and gain access to different content libraries from all around the world.
Best Smart DNS Services to use on Chromecast
» View the Step-by-Step Smart DNS Setup Tutorial for Chromecast
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- 1 Month: $4.90
- 3 Months: $12.90
- 12 Months: $39.90
- 24 Months: $49.90
- Life Time: $150
- Android,
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- PS 4,
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Offers VPN and SmartDNS Plans
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7 Day Trial
- 7 Day Trial: $0.99
- 1 Month: $10.95
- 6 Months: $8.33/Mo
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- Amazon Fire TV,
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- Boxee,
- Chromecast,
- Google TV,
- iOS,
- Kindle Fire,
- LG Smart TV,
- Mac OS X,
- Nexus Player,
- NOW TV Box,
- Panasonic Smart TV,
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- PS 4,
- PS3,
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- Sonos,
- Sony Smart TV,
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- 1 Month: $4.95/Mo
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- iOS,
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- Mac OS X,
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- 1 Month: $4.86
- 3 Months: $11.86
- 12 Months: $34.96
Smart DNS
Smart DNS is a relatively new technology, which was created specifically for use with streaming video services. It works by re-directing part of a user's internet connection to a proxy server. This then makes it seem as if the user's internet connection is actually originating from the location of that server.
This process can be used to trick streaming media services like Netflix into thinking a customer is in another country. So, for instance, a UK user connecting to a US-based proxy server will seem as if their internet connection is originating in the US. Netflix will then automatically load up its US content library.
Smart DNS has a number of advantages over VPN, including its compatibility range and the fact that it does not lead to any reduction in internet speeds. Additionally, it does not change the actual IP address of your devices and only impacts usage of supported websites or apps, meaning all other online activity is completely unaffected.
Step-By-Step Smart DNS Setup
When you sign up for a Smart DNS service, you will be given new DNS settings, which must be adjusted on your device. However, the Google Chromecast has been hard-coded to utilise Google's own DNS servers and the settings cannot be successfully changed on the device itself. For this reason, setting up a Smart DNS service on Google Chromecast is a little bit more complicated than it is with other devices and requires a DD-WRT enabled router.
Flashing a router requires a certain level of technical knowledge, although many Smart DNS services, including Invisible Browsing and TorGuard, sell their own pre-configured routers, making the process a lot easier. Once you have either acquired a pre-configured router or flashed a router yourself, follow the router setup instructions below:
- Using any internet browser, enter your router's admin panel IP address (usually 192.168.1.1) and log in to your DD-WRT admin panel.
- Go to 'Setup' > 'Basic Setup' > 'Network Setup'.
- Select 'Network Address Server Settings (DHCP)'
- Enter the DNS settings given to you by your Smart DNS provider, then click 'Apply Settings'.
- Go to 'Services' > 'Services' > 'Services Management' > 'DNSMasq' > 'Additional DNSMasq Options'.
- Enter 'strict-order' into the text box and click 'Apply Settings'.
- Go to 'Administration', then 'Commands'.
- Input the following:
iptables -I FORWARD --destination 8.8.8.8 -j REJECT
iptables -I FORWARD --destination 8.8.4.4 -j REJECT - Click on 'Save Firewall', then 'Save Startup'.
- Reboot your router.
Your router should now be correctly setup to allow you to use Smart DNS on your Google Chromecast. Follow the final set of instructions below to complete the setup process.
IP Address Entry
The final step in the setup process involves registering your IP address with the Smart DNS provider. In many instances, this can be done easily, by logging in to your Smart DNS client area and clicking on an activation link. Yet, in some other cases, the IP address may need to be added to the database manually.
If this what is required with your Smart DNS provider, your router's external IP address can be found from within your admin panel. Go to your Smart DNS provider's website, log in and follow their instructions for entering your current IP address. In the event that your IP address changes, this process will need to be repeated.
You are now ready to make use of Smart DNS services on your Google Chromecast, granting you access to an increased range of content. Region settings and a variety of other options can be changed by logging in to your Smart DNS account and following the on-screen instructions.