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Disney+ not the same in SA as abroad

rinners

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Anyone noticed how primitive the interface is?

Reasons I say this:
- When using the web interface 1) can't edit/delete profiles (only saw the delete button once somehow and never again)
- When using the web interface I have to log in with SMS or phone call every time. ***MIGHT HAVE A SOLUTION TO THIS*** read later post still need to confirm it works
- Can't get it on Roku. When try to add the channel via this link then it doesn't appear and can't find it amongst the channels.

However, underneath all the Moon Knight hype and Kardashian glitter, Disney+ is a pretty horrible experience in South Africa. It all boils down to one word – “Hotstar“. You see, the South African version of Disney+ isn’t what it seems. Underneath the library of content is an entirely different platform in comparison to the US, UK and EU Disney+.

Anyone with a VPN that has experienced what AmeriCANs have and maybe got it loaded on a Roku?
 
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- Wife read an article (will post link when I remember to ask her for it) that said the platfrom/back end was developed specifically for SA.

I was wondering how the hell an organisation like Disney could bring their streaming service to market with SUCH a potato of a front end.
This would explain a lot.
 
I used the US version of Disney+ a short while back; I can't say much about the front end because I don't remember much about it, but I know you didn't need to log in using an SMS each time.

What I can say is that we actually have more content on our version of D+ than in the US. They don't have the "Star" section of D+ that we have; that is a combination of various other providers including Hulu etc. which in the US you have to subscribe to, and pay for, separately.
 
I've used the EU version and can say the SA version sucks balls in both function and content. Haven't even bothered trying a VPN since it seems we're running on a completely different version of the service.

Even the way we login is built differently.
 
I've used the EU version and can say the SA version sucks balls in both function and content. Haven't even bothered trying a VPN since it seems we're running on a completely different version of the service.

Even the way we login is built differently.

So wouldn't the VPN cause it to use EU frontend if used in conjunction with the correct URL? Or does the registration of the account take care of what it ends up showing?
 
So wouldn't the VPN cause it to use EU frontend if used in conjunction with the correct URL? Or does the registration of the account take care of what it ends up showing?

Just tried it on my phone - Disney+ blocks my VPN. Perhaps others can try on different VPNs.
 
- When using the web interface I have to log in with SMS or phone call every time

Seems someone found a workaround to this at least, just bookmark the profile page and use that link and it won't ask for another pin. I've yet to try this yet and hopefully Disney won't make changes to their HOTSTAR now to break this.

 
I've used the EU version and can say the SA version sucks balls in both function and content.

How sure are you their are content restrictions? Check the above link. And if there is, is it sever? They had a lot more content than I expected, some of it I actually considered maybe watching
 
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Has anyone tried the PS4 Disney app? Is it available in SA?

Edit: I see it is not available.
 
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I have not tried Disney+ SA yet but I've been using MysteriumVPN with an AU account for about 8 months now, no issues so far.
 
I've been using Disney+ US version for about 2 years now on Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Amazon Firestick 4K, and Google Chromecast with TV, and the US app is miles ahead of the SA offering. I created Roku and Amazon accounts when I was in the US in 2018 and I've been using those to get all of the foreign content goodness (HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu etc) via VPN here.

What was confusing is that there is a separate standalone MEA app for our region which means it's impossible for me to use my existing account with the SA version of Disney+. You can't get the MEA app on Roku and the US app won't work locally without a VPN.
 
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Disney+ app has been a bit of a nightmare to use with GoogleTV. If you pause something for too long that your tv goes into auto-sleep the app won't play the next episode of what you were watching. Instead, it just stays in this constant loop trying to start the next episode. Can't fix this without force stopping the app and even then there's a chance of it happening again immediately after. I'll keep using my UK account for now to stream instead.

Also, forget about getting this app on any Hisense TV (VIDAA OS). Their smart TV isn't exactly android. So you can't install apps that they haven't recoded from scratch for their TVs. And even then their OS varies from TV to TV. Our solution was to get GoogleTV(Chromecast 4th gen).
 
Well just got Disney+ and something to add to the list is no 4k support on pc and native Samsung tv app.
Both are limited to 1080p, the Samsung app doesn't even upscale! So to get 4k I've got to either buy a 3rd party device, or wait for Disney to release an SA version of the app for Playstation.
 
Also read somewhere that the actual streaming quality is lower than other regions
 
So I was enjoying catching up on classic 4:3 shows, I watch in browser or on my phone, then 1 day stop an episode and close browser, go back in later to finish up the episode and its now stretched to fill the screen. Now theres no setting to enable/disable this, tried different browsers and all do the same. Go onto the app on my phone and it does the exact same annoying thing.
Ended up finding an extension for firefox that sorts out letterboxing for different aspects that thankfully fixes this, but this is ballas. I like the content they have, its just not user friendly at all
 
Im brand new to Disney plus it works on our Mi Box fine - Would you recommend a VPN and if yes which area ?
 
Ok so; I signed up on PC and the online app seemed fine. I loaded up Endgame at 1080p and it seemed fine. I then got the app on my phone, and despite some lag with movie thumbnails, it seemed fine. Idk, I don't want to sound like a troll, but I don't really know what I should be complaining about.

The other day I paid $17 on Steam for a game that costs $50 in NA. Regions have inherent differences, it is what it is. NA Netlfix, now that's a damn crime. Albeit you can get there with a VPN. But damn it's legit not fair how much good shit is on there.

As a bonus; I tried accessing Prime Video via my VPN and it still wouldn't let me watch NA shit. So stupid.
 
Ok so; I signed up on PC and the online app seemed fine. I loaded up Endgame at 1080p and it seemed fine. I then got the app on my phone, and despite some lag with movie thumbnails, it seemed fine. Idk, I don't want to sound like a troll, but I don't really know what I should be complaining about.

The other day I paid $17 on Steam for a game that costs $50 in NA. Regions have inherent differences, it is what it is. NA Netlfix, now that's a damn crime. Albeit you can get there with a VPN. But damn it's legit not fair how much good shit is on there.

As a bonus; I tried accessing Prime Video via my VPN and it still wouldn't let me watch NA shit. So stupid.

Ok
 
Ok so; I signed up on PC and the online app seemed fine. I loaded up Endgame at 1080p and it seemed fine. I then got the app on my phone, and despite some lag with movie thumbnails, it seemed fine.

FINE, that sums it up really well, we're just paying a fine (not a subscription) for being in Africa.
 
Using a .co.uk email and a US address may assist you with overseas access I’m unsure if it will work but I do know Netflix works
 
Bumping this up. Has anyone tried watching abroad (EU) using an existing SA account?

When I open the app it defaults to +91 and won't let me change it (app was registered and regularyl used before we left). I also tried NordVPN but it then shits the bed: how dare I use my own account that I pay for in a country that does indeed have it already (supported apparently).
 

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