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- No subscriptions required
- Instant hard drive playback
- Easy to use
- No Netflix or premium streaming apps
- 4K UHD content options are sparse
- 500GB is for light use only
The Manhattan S4-R is a fourth-generation Freesat TV recorder for those of us who want subscription-free telly without sacrificing the convenience of local hard drive recording or catch-up streaming services.
Available with 500GB, 1TB or 2TB of HDD storage, it can record up to four channels simultaneously (satellite dish connection dependent) and offers easy access to more than 100 Freesat channels, plus on-demand services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5 and YouTube.
If you’re looking to migrate from premium pay TV and want a one-box PVR experience, this could be the TV refresh you’ve been waiting for.
How much does it cost?
The Manhattan S4-R comes in three storage configurations. The 500GB version I tested sells for £220. It’s fine for casual use, but if you’re likely to record with some enthusiasm, it probably makes more sense to spring for the 1TB model, which costs £250. Heavy TV households have the option of a 2TB version, priced at £280.
How easy is it to set up?
The S4-R isn’t going to win any design awards, but it maintains a familiar set-top box aesthetic. At 272 x 197 x 46mm (WDH), it’s smaller than a Blu-ray player, but still warrants its own shelf space. There’s no digital display; instead, you get a simple standby button and a handful of status LEDs that indicate power and recording activity.
Connectivity comprises a single HDMI, twin F-type satellite inputs, an optical digital audio output, plus USB port. Networking options include both wired Ethernet and integrated Wi-Fi. Either approach works well, although depending on your physical location, hardwired Ethernet is probably the most reliable option for on-demand streaming performance.
For former Sky customers, installation should be remarkably simple. Just connect your existing satellite cables directly to the Manhattan recorder.
Newer satellite dish installations will offer a wideband feed, which allows the S4-R to record up to four channels simultaneously. An older dish system, perhaps installed during the heyday of Sky Plus, will probably only allow you to record two channels at once.
After powering up, the box walks you through the Wi-Fi setup before requesting a postcode to determine local regional channels. Within minutes, my S4-R had populated its electronic programme guide with 147 channels. Going forward, the programme guide will be updated in the background, usually overnight.
The Freesat home screen combines live programmes, recordings, catch-up services and recommendations into a browsable interface. It feels familiar from the outset, largely because it follows the established Freesat design language.
The supplied IR remote control is a little directional, but the buttons are clearly labelled, with dedicated controls for recordings, programme guide and playback.
How is recording handled?
The 500GB Manhattan reviewed here can store approximately 300 hours of SD content, or around 110 hours of HD material. In reality, most owners will record a mix of both. As noted above, larger 1TB and 2TB iterations increase the amount of material you’ll be able to save onto the S4-R.
Recording management is well handled. Scheduled and completed recordings, partially viewed programmes and protected recordings each have their own dedicated tabs. The system automatically deletes older recordings when hard drive space runs low, although important shows can be protected using the “Keep” function.
Search functionality extends across live channels and, I’m told, covers more than 60,000 hours of on-demand content. Live TV can be paused for up to two hours. You can rewind, fast-forward or instantly skip back 10 seconds during playback.
What catch-up apps and streaming services are supported?
The S4-R supports key UK TV catch-up services, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, My5, YouTube, STV Player, Hayu, Watch Free TV, BBC Sounds and QVC, and catch-up integration works well enough. Missed a programme? Simply select Restart from the EPG, and the box automatically launches the relevant broadcaster app.
However, major streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV+ are AWOL, reinforcing the S4-R’s position as a free-to-view TV solution.
Are there any smart features?
No. The Manhattan S4-R keeps things very simple. There’s no built-in microphone, so there’s no AI voice assistant support, nor is there any smart-home integration available.
Again, this reflects the fact that the S4-R is designed to serve a very specific purpose with as few bells and whistles as possible
How are the picture and sound performance?
Picture quality reflects the quality of the source material, both in live reception (unlike Wi-Fi, a dish feed is not prone to bandwidth contractions) and playback. That may sound obvious, but it’s important. The S4-R handles broadcast and recorded content with complete transparency. What goes in is basically what comes out.
HD broadcasts look excellent more often than not (I used a Philips 65-inch OLED as a display). Recorded content retains all the fidelity of the original transmission. Watching a show play out from the local hard drive is reassuringly immediate, free from buffering delays or internet-related interruptions.
This box is 4K UHD-capable and can stream compatible UHD content from BBC iPlayer, complete with HDR when available. Unfortunately, native 4K content remains scarce within the Freesat ecosystem. The platform is SD/HD, but the hardware is future-proofed for when broadcasters expand their UHD player offerings.
When it comes to audio, the S4-R doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, but for Freesat viewers, that’s unlikely to be a significant concern. Broadcasters rarely, if ever, offer Dolby Atmos audio, and the bulk of the programming across the Freesat platform is stereo.
However, the TV box supports multichannel audio, making 5.1 surround sound a reality when available. During testing, surround content from YouTube was correctly decoded and distributed across connected speaker systems. Dialogue remains clear, while surround effects have appropriate channel separation.
Should you buy the Manhattan S4-R Freesat TV Recorder?
A Freesat PVR may sound quaint in a world dominated by streaming services, but it’s an outlier category that continues to generate interest. The niche might even grow, as users look to drop their subscriptions to paid TV services in favour of a money-saving alternative.
So, there’s plenty to applaud about the Manhattan S4-R. Manhattan isn’t reinventing the wheel here, but that’s kind of the point. This set-top box combines dependable recording, a recognisable interface and strong catch-up integration in a package purpose-built for its audience.
If you assume potential buyers are not looking to spend on the likes of Netflix or Disney+, then we can even forgive the lack of major streaming services.
For households with a satellite dish looking to cut ties with subscription television while retaining the convenience of hard drive recording and catch-up services, the Manhattan S4-R is a brilliant buy.
