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Amazon's website is available outside the US, but not all features. Amazon has many country specific websites as well, but to access Amazon Prime AKA Amazon Instant while outside The USA, you're going to need to change your IP address.
To change your IP address you can use proxies and VPNs. Though proxies are a good way to change your IP for anonymous surfing, they're not a great way to stream video online. Not only are they unsafe in many instances (and the more you use them, the more you risk running into a bad proxy), but they're also known for slower speeds, and less reliability. On top of this, you'll only be able to stream on a computer or laptop. Streaming on your smartphone or internet TV is not possible.
Through a VPN service, you can encrypt, tunnel, and change the IP of your whole internet connection. You can do this through a VPN router, or download the VPN software to your phone or computer. It's very easy to do, and I figured it out in a few minutes when I first found out about this kind of service. Since then I've advanced to writing tutorials on how to route your laptop to your Xbox 360 for streaming video services outside the USA (which is very complicated by the way).
So, here's the step by step process.
- 1. Find a VPN service you like that has VPN servers in The USA
- 2. Download the appropriate VPN software for your device
- 3. Connect to a VPN server in The USA
- 4. Log into your Amazon Prime (Instant) account or create one
- 5. Choose the video you want to stream
It's as simple as that.
One thing I've realized now, is that it's possible to stream video from Amazon without being a member of Amazon Prime. However, you have to purchase these videos at cost, which means you'll spend $2 per episode for TV, $20 for a whole season, and somewhere around $12 for a movie. It's only slightly cheaper than purchasing the DVDs. Amazon Prime is a yearly fee however - they charge $79 per year, which is going to greatly reduce your cost per stream.
When compared to the costs of satellite TV, special local programming, or purchasing DVDs overseas, using a VPN service in much more cost effective. They'll charge you about $5 per month, plus the cost of amazon instant.
Though being able to stream Amazon Instant outside The USA will be enough to satisfy even the most voracious TV and movie streamer, you'll have other options as well. Netflix, Hulu, and TV networks site that block non-US IP addresses will be available as well. Though you probably won't need to sign up for all of these, it's good to know that you'll be surfing the internet just like in The USA.
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