Sky Q has long been a beloved TV device in the UK, providing entertainment for households for over a decade. Known for its ability to store content on its internal hard drive, Sky Q remains a popular choice. However, it now faces competition from the Manhattan S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder, a new set-top box recently introduced by the TV Team at Manhattan.
Similar to Sky Q, the Manhattan S4-R utilizes a dish to transmit TV shows and movies into homes and offers storage for recordings. Users can enjoy a comprehensive interactive TV guide and the convenience of pausing live TV. One significant advantage of the Manhattan S4-R is that it does not require any subscription fees after purchase, providing access to over 100 TV and radio channels at no extra cost. While premium content like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema is not available, this option appeals to those seeking entertainment without additional expenses.
The Manhattan S4-R, like Sky Q, boasts the capability to record multiple channels simultaneously and comes with a 500GB hard drive, ample for storing approximately 300 hours of content. Larger 1TB and 2TB versions are expected to be released soon to cater to users needing more storage space. Additionally, it offers features like live TV controls, enabling users to pause and rewind broadcasts.
Manhattan promises a user-friendly interface for the device, including search functionality and access to a vast library of on-demand content through various apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and My5. Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s COO, emphasized that the S4-R enhances recording capabilities, allowing up to four programs to be recorded simultaneously, double the previous limit. He positioned the S4-R as a compelling alternative to subscription TV, offering flexibility, choice, and a way to avoid high monthly bills.
The Manhattan S4-R is set to launch this month and will be stocked 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 priced at £249.99 in May and the 2TB model at £279.99 in June.