Sky Q, a popular TV device in the UK, has been a household favorite for over a decade due to its ability to store content on its internal hard drive. Despite its longevity, a new competitor has emerged with a significant advantage.
Manhattan’s TV Team has introduced the S4-R Freesat 4K TV Recorder, a device similar to Sky Q that uses a satellite dish to deliver shows and movies to homes. Like Sky Q, it offers built-in storage for recordings, an interactive TV guide, and the ability to pause live TV.
The standout feature of the Manhattan S4-R is the absence of subscription fees after the initial purchase, providing access to over 100 TV and radio channels for free. While premium channels like Sky Sports are not available, it is a great option for those seeking entertainment without additional costs.
Similar to Sky Q, the S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously and comes with a 500GB hard drive, which can store approximately 300 hours of content. Larger 1TB and 2TB versions are in the pipeline for users needing more storage space. Additionally, it offers live TV controls like pausing and rewinding broadcasts.
Manhattan promises a user-friendly interface, search functionality, and access to a vast library of on-demand content through various apps such as 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 programs to be recorded concurrently, 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 like Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds. Pricing starts at £219.99 for the 500GB model, increasing to £249.99 for the 1TB version in May, and £279.99 for the 2TB model in June.