Sky Q, a beloved TV device in the UK, has been a popular choice for over a decade due to its recording capabilities. However, it now faces competition from Manhattan’s latest offering, the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder. Similar to Sky Q, this new set-top box uses a dish to deliver content and comes with built-in storage for recordings, offering features like an interactive TV guide and the ability to pause live TV.
The standout feature of the Manhattan S4-R is its lack of subscription fees after purchase, providing access to over 100 free TV and radio channels. While it doesn’t offer premium content like Sky Sports or Sky Cinema, it presents a solid entertainment option without additional costs.
Equipped with a 500GB hard drive, expandable to larger capacities soon, the S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously and offers familiar live TV controls for pausing and rewinding broadcasts. Users can expect a user-friendly interface, search functionality, and access to a vast library of on-demand content through various apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5.
Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, emphasized that the S4-R enhances recording capabilities, allowing up to four programs to be recorded at once, double the previous limit. Positioned as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to subscription TV, the S4-R is set to launch this month at retailers including Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds, with pricing starting 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.