Sky Q has been a popular TV device in the UK for over a decade, known for its ability to store recorded content on its internal hard drive. Despite its enduring appeal, 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 utilizes a dish to deliver television shows and movies to households. Offering internal storage for recordings, interactive TV guide features, and live TV pausing capabilities, the S4-R is shaping up to be a formidable rival.
One standout feature of the Manhattan S4-R is its lack of subscription fees post-purchase, providing access to over 100 free TV and radio channels. While premium content like Sky Sports and Sky Cinema is not available, this option appeals to those seeking entertainment without additional costs.
Similar to Sky Q, the S4-R can record multiple channels simultaneously and debuts with a 500GB hard drive, ample for about 300 hours of content storage. Larger 1TB and 2TB versions are in the pipeline for users requiring more space, matching Sky’s live TV controls for pause and rewind functionalities.
Manhattan promises a user-friendly interface, search capabilities, and access to over 60,000 hours 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 programs to be recorded simultaneously, doubling the previous limit.
Described as a compelling alternative to subscription TV, the Manhattan S4-R offers flexibility, choice, and a solution to avoid costly monthly bills. Available this month, the S4-R can be purchased from retailers such as Currys, John Lewis, Argos, and Richer Sounds, with prices starting at £219.99 for the 500GB model, rising to £249.99 for the 1TB version in May, and £279.99 for the 2TB model in June.