Sky Q has been a beloved TV device in the UK for more than a decade, known for its ability to record content on its internal hard drive. Now, Manhattan’s TV Team has introduced a new competitor, the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder. Similar to Sky Q, this device uses a dish to deliver entertainment into homes and offers features like internal storage for recordings, an interactive TV guide, and the ability to pause live TV.
One major advantage of the Manhattan S4-R is that it comes with no subscription fees after purchase, providing access to over 100 free TV and radio channels. While premium content like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema is not available, it is a solid option for those seeking entertainment without additional costs.
Like Sky Q, the S4-R can simultaneously record multiple channels and comes with a 500GB hard drive, offering storage for around 300 hours of content. Larger 1TB and 2TB versions are planned for release soon for those needing more space. Additionally, it offers live TV controls similar to Sky, enabling users to pause and rewind broadcasts.
The device boasts a user-friendly interface, search functionality, and access to over 60,000 hours of on-demand content through various apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5. Manhattan’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, highlighted the increased recording capabilities of the S4-R, allowing up to four programs to be recorded simultaneously, double the previous limit.
Described as a robust alternative to subscription TV, the Manhattan S4-R will be available at retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds. The pricing starts at £219.99 for the 500GB model, with the 1TB version launching in May for £249.99, and the 2TB model arriving in June priced at £279.99.