Sharp Smart TV Smart DNS Services Compared
When it comes to electronic devices, Sharp are widely considered to be one of the industry leaders and their range of Smart TVs enjoy a strong reputation. Like other Smart TVs on the market, Sharp's devices offer internet connectivity, allowing users to access online apps, including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and more.
However, access to some apps is restricted to people living in certain parts of the world. Meanwhile, services like Netflix provide customers with completely different content libraries depending on their physical location. The region of a customer is detected automatically and most apps offer no way to change it manually.
This is where Smart DNS comes in. By making use of a Smart DNS service, Sharp Smart TV owners are able to switch their internet location, which gives them access to more services and an increased range of content.
Best Smart DNS Services to use on Sharp Smart TV
» View the Step-by-Step Smart DNS Setup Tutorial for Sharp Smart TV
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- Amazon Fire TV,
- Android,
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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,
- Philips Smart TV,
- PS 4,
- PS3,
- Roku,
- Samsung Smart TV,
- Sharp Smart TV,
- Sonos,
- Sony Smart TV,
- Toshiba Smart TV,
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Smart DNS
Smart DNS technology involves re-directing a user's DNS queries, feeding them through a server based in another location. After this has occurred, when a supported website or online application attempts to identify a customer's location based on their internet settings, the customer will be traced to the location of the server instead.
By connecting to a server in another region entirely, users can trick streaming media services and gain access to extra content. For instance, if a European Netflix user connects to a US Smart DNS server, the Netflix app will believe they are in the US and load up its US content library.
Advantages of the technology include its widespread compatibility and the fact that it causes little or no slowing of internet speeds. In addition, DNS re-routing only takes place when using a supported website or app, meaning any other online activity is unaffected and the user's local IP address remains unchanged.
Step-By-Step Smart DNS Setup
Once you have signed up for a Smart TV DNS service, you will be given new DNS settings. These must be input onto the device you wish to use and that can be done on a Sharp Smart TV by following the steps below. It may also be sensible to write down your current DNS settings, in case you wish to revert back at any point.
- Select 'Menu', then go to 'Initial Setup'.
- Choose 'Internet Setup', followed by 'Network Setup'.
- Go to 'IP Setup' and click 'Change'.
- Set the 'Obtain IP Automatically' option to 'Yes', then press 'Next'.
- Set 'Obtain DNS Automatically' to 'No' and enter the settings given to you by your Smart DNS provider.
- Press 'Next', followed by 'Finish'.
At this point, it is important to fully reboot your Sharp Smart TV. To do this, turn it off, unplug it and leave it for at least ten seconds. Once you have switched it back on, you can proceed to the next step.
IP Address Entry
The next step involves adding your IP address to your Smart DNS provider's "white list", or approved database. If your TV has its own web browser, you may be able to do this by logging in to your Smart DNS account and clicking on an activation link. Alternatively, it may be possible to do this from another device connected to the same network.
However, many other Smart DNS services require the IP address to be added manually. In this case, the IP address can usually be found from the 'IP Setup' page we accessed in step 3 above. Once you have found it, make a note, then go to your Smart DNS provider's web page and follow the instructions provided for verifying IP addresses.
Once the IP address has been registered, you are able to start making use of Smart DNS technology with your Sharp Smart TV. That said, your television's IP address may change periodically and it will need to be re-registered with your provider each time this happens.
App Setup
As well as adjusting internet region settings, the region settings on the Sharp Smart TV itself can also be changed. This can be useful due to the fact that some regions offer a wider selection of apps to download. For example, by changing the region to 'United States', users can access the Hulu Plus app, which is not offered in other regions.
In order to change region on the Sharp Smart TV, follow the steps below:
- Select 'Menu' and choose 'Initial Setup'.
- Choose 'EZ Setup', then select 'Location and Time'.
- Select the region of your choice from the list.