Sky Q, a popular TV device in the UK for over a decade, continues to be a favorite due to its recording capabilities. However, it now faces competition from Manhattan’s latest offering, the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder. This new set-top box, similar to Sky Q, uses a dish for content delivery and includes internal storage for recordings, 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, providing access to over 100 free TV and radio channels. While premium channels like Sky Sports are not available, it offers a cost-effective entertainment option without additional bills. Like Sky Q, the S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously and comes with a 500GB hard drive, expandable to 1TB and 2TB for more storage space. Users can pause and rewind live broadcasts with ease.
Manhattan promises 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. Alex Arbab-Zadeh, Manhattan’s COO, highlighted the S4-R’s enhanced recording capabilities, allowing up to four simultaneous recordings, doubling 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 is set to launch this month and will be available at retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds. 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.
