Plexconnect / US Netflix DNS problems

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1

Hi all

 

I am located in Switzerland and have been using plexconnect for a year now successfully. I now started using Netflix, as well, and successfully managed to switch to the US version of Netflix by changing the DNS on the aTV. Because of this, plexconnect does not work anymore. I tried to update the setting in Settings.cfg, in the line "ip_dnsmaster = " and added the DNS I am using to reroute to the US Netflix - according to the osxtipsntricks website this should have worked. It does not, which is why I am posting here. I am running Plex on a Mac Mini with Yosemite. The contents of my Settings.cfg are:

 

[PlexConnect]
enable_plexgdm = True
ip_pms = 192.168.178.10
port_pms = 32400
enable_dnsserver = True
port_dnsserver = 53
ip_dnsmaster = NETFLIX REDIRECT DNS (185.051.194.194)
prevent_atv_update = True
enable_plexconnect_autodetect = True
ip_plexconnect = 0.0.0.0
hosttointercept = trailers.apple.com
port_webserver = 80
enable_webserver_ssl = True
port_ssl = 443
certfile = ./assets/certificates/trailers.pem
allow_gzip_atv = False
allow_gzip_pmslocal = False
allow_gzip_pmsremote = True
loglevel = Normal
logpath = .
 
Does anything look off here, does anyone see the reason why this is not working?
 
Thanks a lot in advance!
2

Just put the numeric DNS address after


ip_dnsmaster=


The words and brackets are the problem

3

I have only put the words and brackets in to show you where I put the DNS... in the actual file it of course is only the numeric DNS.

4

Here is what the Terminal session is doing - maybe that will give you a clue as to what is happening?

21:49:43 PlexConnect: ***

21:49:43 PlexConnect: started: 21:49:43

21:49:43 PlexConnect: Version: 0.5-dev

21:49:43 PlexConnect: Python: 2.7.6 (default, Sep  9 2014, 15:04:36) 

[GCC 4.2.1 Compatible Apple LLVM 6.0 (clang-600.0.39)]

21:49:43 PlexConnect: Host OS: darwin

21:49:43 PlexConnect: PILBackgrounds: Is PIL installed? False

21:49:43 PlexConnect: IP_self: 192.168.1.124

21:49:43 DNSServer: started: 21:49:43

21:49:43 DNSServer: ***

21:49:43 DNSServer: DNSServer: Serving DNS on 192.168.1.124 port 53.

21:49:43 DNSServer: intercept: ['trailers.apple.com'] => 192.168.1.124

21:49:43 DNSServer: restrain: ['mesu.apple.com', 'appldnld.apple.com', 'appldnld.apple.com.edgesuite.net'] => 127.0.0.1

21:49:43 DNSServer: forward other to higher level DNS: 185.051.194.194

21:49:43 DNSServer: ***

21:49:43 WebServer: started: 21:49:43

21:49:43 WebServer: ***

21:49:43 WebServer: WebServer: Serving HTTP on 192.168.1.124 port 80.

21:49:43 WebServer: ***

21:49:43 WebServer: started: 21:49:43

21:49:43 WebServer: ***

21:49:43 WebServer: WebServer: Serving HTTPS on 192.168.1.124 port 443.

 

Thanks for any help...

5 
ip_dnsmaster = 185.051.194.194

As @institute11 informed you is the proper way to alter your DNS. OK you get that...Maybe try an alternate netflix DNS if this one may no longer be working? Always remember to restart PlexConnect after changing any settings in the Settings.cfg file. An aTV restart from the iOS aTV settings.app or power cycle wouldn't hurt as well after making changes.

6

Thanks for the feedback. i did all of the above multiple times, too - the netflix DNS’s I have been using all work, as I get the US content with all of them. what does not work is adding the DNS in the settings file on plexconnect. Restarted both sides multiple times, always the trailers appear instead of my beloved Plex…

7

Try new certs on aTV and your PlexConnect host? If that doesn't work post a log while attempting to visit your hijacked app.

8

OK, tried that too... new certs installed, everything rebooted/restarted, still the same issue... which log would you like me to post about the hijacked app, and where would I find that...?

9

>>185.051.194.194

Not sure about that, but I would skip the leading "0"...

10

tried that, too... same result...

11

Thanks for the feedback. i did all of the above multiple times, too - the netflix DNS's I have been using all work, as I get the US content with all of them. what does not work is adding the DNS in the settings file on plexconnect. Restarted both sides multiple times, always the trailers appear instead of my beloved Plex...


You're not using 185.51.194.194 in both PlexConnects settings.cfg and as the DNS address on the settings page of the aTV as well are you? The aTV's DNS address should always be the IP address of the PlexConnect machine.

I've tried 185.51.194.194 in my settings.cfg and it works fine.
12

That was it! Thanks so much, I did not realize I had to leave the one on the aTV alone. Thanks a million!

13

hi all,

I have a similar issue... Although I got it working earlier today, after rebooting my mac it isn't working anymore.

My mac mini is connected to atv via wifi and connected to the internet via lan.

In plexconnect the ip_pms was 192.168.0.29 and I updated the same in my wifi and my atv. Then in settings.cfg I updated the ip_dnsmaster to my Netflix dns using xcode and saved in the folder applications/plexconnect/. After this all was working.

After rebooting my mac, plexconnect is now using 192.168.0.30 (settings file still with 29) and the Netflix dns has disappeared from the settings file. Only after changing the ip in atv and in the wifi settings and updating the settings file everything works again.

I must do something wrong and would like to hear your advice on what to do to not have to change the ip manually every time and how to properly update the settings file.

Much appreciated!

14

OK, maybe it is an obvious remark, but in order for PlexConnect to work, your PMS should have a fixed IP address on your home network. So you may want to check your Network Configuration on your mac mini and check that your Ethernet port is NOT configured using DHCP, but at lease "using DHCP with manual address" and then type in either 192.168.0.29 or 192.168.0.30 in the IP Address field.

Hope this helps.

15

Also you can use dhcp reservation if your router supports it:


http://lifehacker.com/5822605/how-to-set-up-dhcp-reservations-so-you-never-have-to-check-an-ip-address-again

16

thanks for the advice. This is all quite new to me...

When I put the IP address for my Ethernet 'using DHCP with manual address' and use any address then my computer cannot connect to the internet anymore.

Should wifi and ethernet and dns setting off atv all have the same IP address?

17

First things first...  forget about the aTV for a moment....  

On the machine you will be using to run PMS:  you need to set the machine (for MAC it's System Preferences>Network) to have a dedicated IP by selecting "Using DHCP with manual address" in the drop down box labeled "Config IPv4:"  Then in the box right below that type in an address... for mine I use  192.168.1.131.   Verify this machine can get to the internet etc...

Now that you have a dedicated IP for your Mac, startup PMS.

I highly recommend you also run Plexconnect on the same Mac as PMS.  For starters I would NOT make any changes to the baseline Plexconnect config.  Use it as it comes without modifications. Once you have everything running then modify if desired.

Back on the aTV, manually set the DNS to your dedeicated IP on the Mac (where both Plexconnect & PMS are running) ...from my example it's  192.168.1.131

18

ok, so I guess this is an issue for me. If I turn wifi off and try this with the Ethernet settings then I cannot use internet. If I turn Ethernet off and try this with wifi settings then I cannot use the internet again. So not sure if this is the way for me...

I have an old and basic router Cisco DPC3925 connect via Apple Extreme, in the router I did the dchp reservation

192.168.0.30 for Ethernet

192.168.0.31 for wifi

but atv was only working if all have the same IP address (wifi, Ethernet and dns in atv) and being connected to mac via wifi.

Any other tips?

19

It is actually working now with the dhcp reservation setup.

Thanks a lot for your tips!!!