Sky Q, a popular TV device in the UK, has been entertaining households for over a decade with its recording capabilities. Despite its longevity, it now faces competition from Manhattan’s latest offering, the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder. This new set-top box functions similarly to Sky Q, utilizing a dish for content delivery and providing internal storage for recordings, along with features like an interactive TV guide and live TV pause option.
What sets the Manhattan S4-R apart is its lack of subscription fees post-purchase, offering access to over 100 free TV and radio channels. While it lacks premium content like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema, it provides a cost-effective entertainment solution for those seeking to avoid additional expenses.
Like Sky Q, the S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously and comes with a 500GB hard drive, expandable to 1TB and 2TB soon. It also boasts live TV controls similar to Sky Q, allowing users to pause and rewind broadcasts.
Manhattan promises a user-friendly interface for the S4-R, incorporating search capabilities and granting access to a vast library of on-demand content through various apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5. The company’s COO, Alex Arbab-Zadeh, emphasizes the S4-R’s enhanced recording capacity, enabling up to four concurrent program recordings, double its predecessor’s capability.
Positioned as a compelling alternative to subscription TV, the Manhattan S4-R offers flexibility, choice, and cost savings. The device is set to launch this month and will be available at retailers such as 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 variant in June.