Boxee or HD Media Streamer was a Home Theater cross-platform software based on XBMC, which is now known as Kodi. Boxee was recognized for its social media features and it capacity to support a wide variety of formats. It included audio visualizations, slideshows, weather forecasts and many third-party plugins. It was possible to buy Boxee boxes featuring the software and allowing people to access media content on their home network, or using services like Netflix and VUDU. Originally made available in 2008, Boxee was discontinued in 2013, but it was acquired by Samsung and part of the team working with the application, was hired by the South Korean giant. It is possible that Samsung releases Boxee in a new format in the future, but in the meantime, many people are still using Boxee since the back-end of the system is still available.
You can find Boxee boxes on Amazon and other retailers and there are also companies that sell custom firmware that is set to enhance the performance of Boxee. While many people still praise the design and high quality of Boxee, unfortunately since it was a small company, it wasn’t able to take on larger competitors that are able to offer lower prices as well as a wider set of features. For instance, Boxee didn’t offer Hulu support, which was one of the reasons why people opted for other devices. In addition, in 2014, it was reported that the data of thousands of Boxee.tv users, including usernames and passwords, had been compromised. While this may also played a part in the end of Boxee, if you still want to get a Boxee box, you can find them nowadays for less than $200 USD.
The best way to take full advantage of Boxee, without compromising your privacy and bypassing the blocks that could prevent you from accessing certain content, is using a VPN service. Using the Boxee system along with a VPN will let you access TV shows and movies without facing geographical restrictions. The library of content for Netflix subscribers outside the United States is limited when compared to what is available in the US. You can use a VPN and connect to a server in the United States to get around the blocks and enjoy a more versatile experience. Since VPNs also add encryption to your traffic, they protect your personal data from threats cyber crime and eavesdropping. Others won’t be able to see what services you are using or what content you access, and they won’t be able to intercept your login details. Before checking the list of the best VPNs for Boxee, let’s take a look at the steps you can follow to set up a VPN on Boxee.
How to set up a VPN on Boxee
Once you have selected the VPN service that you want to use and subscribing to it, you will get a a username and password, which is the information you need to set up your VPN on Boxee box. Since Boxee supports VPN, the setup process can be completed with any VPN you choose. After logging in to Boxee Box, you will the Home Screen.
- Search for the Options button in your remote and press it to access the Navigation menu.
- You will see the Settings icon on the top left of the screen. Select the Up arrow key to highlight it and then press OK.
- Press the Right Arrow key a few times until the Network option is highlighted. Then press OK to access the Network Settings.
- Once you are in the Network Settings, scroll down to VPN and choose PPTP as the Connection Type.
- Enter the name of the VPN server you want to connect to. You can get this from your VPN provider. You can get additional assistance and specific information if you contact the customer support team and let them know that you want to set up the VPN on Boxee box.
- Now you need to enter the email address in the Account box. Your email address is the username assigned to you by your Boxee VPN provider.
- Enter the password for your Boxee VPN in the password box
- Enter the password for your VPN service in the relevant box. Then you need to check if you need encryption. Note that different VPN providers offer different settings and encryption levels.
- The last step is to click on Connect and that is all. Of course, another option is to set up the VPN on a compatible router and then you can connect Boxee and other devices to it.
Best VPN Services to use with Boxee box
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a popular service that lets you defeat restrictions and that also offers a high standard of security. No matter where in the world you are, you can find efficient servers that allow you to bypass blocks. ExpressVPN has an extensive network with servers in over 90 countries and the service is designed to offer fantastic speeds for streaming. ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable solutions in the industry and it doesn’t keep logs of your online activities. Their helpful guides and high quality software will make things very simple when you use Boxee.
VyprVPN
Golden Frog’s VyprVPN is a solution that supports exclusive technology that allows you to enjoy great content on your Boxee box, no matter where you are located. Thanks to VyprVPN’s proprietary Chameleon protocol, you can bypass geo-location blocks and defeat censorship filters, even in places where VPNs are banned. This is thanks to the fact that Chameleon can disguise VPN traffic. VyprVPN also provides great speeds and since they have over 700 servers in more than 70 global locations, you won’t have issues finding an option that suits your needs. VyprVPN also offers high encryption to protect your data.
TorGuard
Apart from offering a good variety of plans and great customer service, TorGuard allows you to stream, download content and enjoy games with great speeds. TorGuard also offers impressive support for Boxee and DD-WRT platforms. It is possible to find pre-configured routers on their website, so you can easily run the VPN and connect your Boxee box. TorGuard has servers in over 50 countries and it doesn’t keep logs, which makes it another good option for privacy conscious users.
NordVPN
NordVPN is a solution that focuses on security and privacy, but it also offers access to fast servers that allow you to defeat restrictions and access the content you want. They are a zero logs provider that is based in Panama, which allows it to offer a good standard of protection from online surveillance. NordVPN has servers in over 50 countries and its customer support is fantastic. They also have helpful guides and routers that will allow you to run a VPN on Boxee without hassle.
