Need some advice on IPTV providers and VPNs - eviltoast

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 🏴‍☠️

  • Algernon@lemmy.dbzer0.comOP
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    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!

    • amigan@lemmy.dynatron.me
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      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.comOP
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        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.

        • amigan@lemmy.dynatron.me
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          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.