Sky Q, a popular TV device in the UK for over a decade, continues to be a favorite choice with its recording capabilities. However, a new competitor has emerged in the form of the Manhattan S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder. Similar to Sky Q, this device uses a satellite dish for content delivery and comes with storage for recordings, an interactive TV guide, and live TV pausing functionality.
The standout feature of the Manhattan S4-R is its lack of subscription fees, offering over 100 free TV and radio channels. While it lacks premium content like Sky Sports or Sky Cinema, it provides a cost-effective entertainment solution without additional bills. The S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously, comes with a 500GB hard drive, expandable to 1TB and 2TB, and allows users to pause and rewind live broadcasts similar to Sky Q.
Manhattan promises a user-friendly interface, search capabilities, and access to on-demand content through various apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5. Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s COO, highlighted the enhanced recording capabilities of the S4-R, 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 released this month and can be purchased from retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds. Pricing starts at £219.99 for the 500GB model, with the 1TB version launching in May for £249.99, and the 2TB model in June for £279.99.