Sky Q, a beloved TV device in the UK, has been entertaining households for over a decade with its recording capabilities. Despite its longevity, there is now a new competitor on the scene with a significant advantage.
Manhattan’s TV Team has introduced the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder, a set-top box similar to Sky Q. Utilizing a dish for content delivery and offering internal storage for recordings, the S4-R also provides users with an interactive TV guide and the ability to pause live TV.
The standout feature of the Manhattan S4-R is its absence of subscription fees post-purchase, offering access to over 100 free TV and radio channels. While premium content like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema is not available, this is a solid option for those seeking entertainment without additional costs.
Similar to Sky Q, the S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously and comes with a 500GB hard drive, allowing storage of approximately 300 hours of content. Larger 1TB and 2TB versions are on the horizon for users requiring more space, matching Sky’s live TV controls for pausing and rewinding broadcasts.
Manhattan promises a user-friendly interface, search functionality, and access to over 60,000 hours of on-demand content through apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.
Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s Chief Operating Officer, emphasized that the S4-R enhances recording capabilities, enabling up to four simultaneous recordings, double the previous limit. He positioned the S4-R as a compelling alternative to subscription TV, offering flexibility, choice, and cost savings.
The Manhattan S4-R will be available this month from retailers including Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds. Prices start at £219.99 for the 500GB model, increasing to £249.99 for the 1TB version in May, and £279.99 for the 2TB model in June.