Need some advice on IPTV providers and VPNs (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 6 months ago by Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/piracy@lemmy.dbzer0.com

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Hey all, please don't even think of replying here with suggestions for actual IPTV providers, just DM me if you're willing to make a suggestion. Otherwise, let me know if the below situation is normal.

Long story short, I'm new to IPTV and looking for one that does US sports. I just got semi-scammed (at least, misrepresented) by a provider I found on one of the forums.

I spent most of my trial period struggling to get a VPN to work (and thought I did). Then I paid for six months, which was dumb as shit.

I picked up PIA to replace Mullvad, since that one has an Apple TV client and I'm Mac/iOS/tvOS. That broke IPTV on all devices. And why? Because these guys block VPNs due to "other IPTV provider want to steal our streams from their servers" broken English BS excuse that I can't even make sense of. What does one thing have to do with the other?

They want me to use their VPN, which is based on either Outline or Surfboard (the second doesn't even have a website). On Mac, that would mean using Tunnelblick to run their custom config file. The best part is:

In the chat, I asked what I should do on Apple TV. That's when they ghosted, since they have my money now. And then came back to say "Oh, actually we DO allow VPNs, it's your ISP that's blocking them."

So how come I can go anywhere and do anything on PIA, except use IPTV?

I'd love to know if that situation is abnormal. Am I right that streaming a bunch of IPTV using some rando's config file (or in the clear) is batshit? This is all on the high seas so I gotta use a VPN, right? Am I just misunderstanding the technical issue due to the language barrier?

Experienced IPTV sailor perspectives welcome 🏴‍☠️

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[-] Qkall@lemmy.ml 9 points 6 months ago

vlc or most media players (i use kodi with iptv merger/simple/manager) and https://github.com/iptv-org/iptv

free!

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 6 months ago

https://github.com/iptv-org/iptv

Thanks! Do you know if all those are non-commercial TV? If I'm looking for certain commercial channels, how can I know?

[-] Qkall@lemmy.ml 2 points 6 months ago

some channels but not all. uh kodi madtitan for others ;)

[-] AnAnonymous@lemm.ee 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Get a Xiaomi TV Stick/Box and forget about using Apple for IPTV/VPN stuff, good luck.

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 6 months ago

That's not on the menu. The only question is if it's expected that I wouldn't be able to use a VPN with IPTV or if it's just these guys.

[-] AnAnonymous@lemm.ee 6 points 6 months ago

You can use IPTV WO a VPN, but I don't recommend it, depending on which country are you in it could be dangerous or not.

If you want to be able to pirate freely you should avoid Apple devices.

[+] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com -8 points 6 months ago

Yeah, this isn't quite the direction the thread should go in, since I'm using the stuff I'm using. And no offense, but with 30 years on the seas, it's pretty lol to hear "don't use Apple if you want to pirate freely." I appreciate the heads up about VPNs though!

[-] AnAnonymous@lemm.ee 9 points 6 months ago

In my humble POV the problem about Apple devices it's the closeness of their software, not allowing to download apps outside the app store and no sideloading it's totally a "no thanks" for me if I want to use the device for whatever I want to use it, that's why I avoid using that brand and why I suggest anyone who want to pirate WO too much hassle to avoid it too.

I believe it isn't even easier to use a private DNS or VPN what it's supposed to be legal on Apple devices.

Whatever for the fraction of the price you are paying for the device you can easily go for something more pirate friendly, I would suggest you to sell the Apple device, there are usually a lot of people who will hype and buy it pretty fast, and buy a cheaper pirate friendly device and some beers.

Anyway good luck!! ✌️👍

[-] rebelsimile@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 months ago

I believe it isn't even easier to use a private DNS or VPN what it's supposed to be legal on Apple devices.

You’re entitled to your POV but Apple devices (including an Apple TV) can all use private DNS servers. I don’t run a private VPN so I can’t attest to that but of course MacOS can run normal VPN software and custom VPNs. Where are you coming from with this?

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 6 months ago

It's just shitposting, he doesn't understand how VPNs work or that it's not hard at all to use them on Apple. He wants that sweet dopamine from the "me too" posts.

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com -2 points 6 months ago

Why'd you type all that out, what was the point?

[-] AnAnonymous@lemm.ee 3 points 6 months ago

My point it's if you want to use IPTV and VPN WO trouble I suggest you to use Android instead of iOS, I guess Apple is not ok about IPTV, VPN or even private DNS running on your device, I believe your problem it's on the platform you are using, not in your ISP, VPN or IPTV provider.

[-] theamigan@lemmy.dynatron.me 2 points 6 months ago

Waah, the answer isn't the one I wanted. Boo hoo hoo. I'm sure you've been pirating on iOS for 30 years and must know better.

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 6 months ago

Hahaha you guys are so low-info! I’m a Mac and Apple user and that triggers you? Amazing. Would you like me better if I was sucking down telemetry and ads on Windows and Android, or do you need me to be straight up Linux desktop? 🤣

Just let me know, I’ll sell all my shit 😉

I expected way better from the Dbzer0 piracy sub, but I guess TIL you folks just want to shitpost. Literally I come in here and say “Apple” and the thread derails.

Now I’m wondering why I even made an account on db0. I can scroll Lemmy memes from anywhere and that’s the only other thing this platform is good for.

Hell, looking back through this sub’s last couple weeks, nobody in here has said dick about shit. What a shame, where are the decent posters at?

I’ll tell you what. Give me a few days to figure out a solid Mac and iOS workflow for IPTV and I’ll come back and post it. So that way, this forum can have one piece of useful info.

As for you my man, study hard.

[-] fatalError@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 6 months ago

You came here asking if a vpn config is outrageous. And it may be for you, but it's also probably the only option for that specific provider as they can't get their own client onto the locked down apple store.

You can continue using your devices, but don't expect people to give you solutions left and right as you are not using an open "ecosystem", so sometimes there is no (easy) solution. All people did was suggesting a better approach that will give you a lot less headaches and you took it personally...

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 6 months ago

That's not what I asked. Read it again. I asked if my IPTV provider blocking VPNs from all major VPN companies and requiring their own config was normal for IPTV.

I'm not sure if you didn't know this or if you just ignored it to make your post seem factual, but all the major VPNs have iOS clients. Every single one. Less so on Apple TV, but that's only been allowed on tvOS since iOS17. And obviously, Mac has a billion VPNs.

What I took personally was the brigading on Apple that had nothing to do with understanding the technical issue. Niggas just want to shitpost, since that's what niggas do when they don't know shit. They see "Apple" and "iOS," and hey! Doesn't matter what the thread is about, let's just say shit about Apple. And that's boring as hell. Give real info, or if you don't know, don't post.

Last night, I made a "support ticket" in my provider's dashboard asking them point blank if they block commercial VPNs, and if they recommend me watching their streams in the clear. I also made this post lol, but nobody reads Lemmy, so that won't be it.

This morning, I woke up and every single PIA endpoint I tried in every country on all my devices worked perfectly. I can't explain that and I bet nobody here can explain it either, since nobody posting so far has any knowledge of how IPTV providers or IPTV tech works.

Just to say it again, thanks for showing me this sub is not for real. Not a good source of info, not a good community for sailing the seas, strictly for entertainment value. Unless the people who do know stuff happen to be on vacation.

[-] theamigan@lemmy.dynatron.me 4 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Triggered indeed, mister indignant wall of text. I use a Mac too. And Linux, FreeBSD, Android, and even Windows. But using an iOS device to pirate is like using a wrench as a hammer. Maybe you can do it, but it's not ideal.

Anyway, if you don't like it here, there's the door. Deuces.

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com -1 points 6 months ago

Weird, once I got my provider to stop blocking my VPN (I learned that some do) and/or switched to endpoints my ISP doesn’t block known IPTV ports on, I’ve had no issues. Apple TV, mac, iphone, all of them. Everything flawless.

I might even take my seedbox down and torrent locally, since that’s easier. A full Apple pirate workflow, aside from my NAS.

I liked the parts in your post where you dropped in various operating systems you’ve used to make the words you were typing look more factual. Have you pirated on BSD? That would be intense!

For me, I think I’ll stick around. I genuinely enjoy making fools look foolish — and now that I know fools are in season here (and are overpopulated) I’ll get my real info elsewhere and focus on the fun part. Cheers!

[-] theamigan@lemmy.dynatron.me 3 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

Actually, I have pirated on FreeBSD, for many years. I run all of those OSes in different roles at home every day. What are you trying to accuse me of? Not knowing what I am talking about? You're the indignant chode who is asking for help in this forum. I have never done that. I know how to use google and answer my own questions.

[-] Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 6 months ago

Most impressive. Of all the operating systems you use daily, which do you pirate on the most? And, do you switch operating systems depending on mood — or another criteria?

“I think I’ll use Debian Stretch today.”

Is it really true you’ve never asked a question on the internet? If so, is that because you were born with innate knowledge or because you just know how to use Google (only Google, apparently) so well that the sum of human knowledge opens itself to you, like at the end of The Highlander?

My amazement grows.

As for what I’m accusing you of, that’s easy. Being pedantic and pretentious.

[-] theamigan@lemmy.dynatron.me 2 points 6 months ago

Don't you have anything better to do than be a tryhard online? You don't sound as clever as you think you do, bud.

[-] anzo@programming.dev 1 points 6 months ago

Aren't premiunize and realdebrid mentioned in the wiki? I heard of them so many times... Never used them tho. They should work with VPN, or so I thought. And you can pay with paysafecard to be safe about scammers.