Manhattan T3-R Freeview Play 4K Smart Recorder 500GB

Product Information

As with every Freeview device, the number of channels it can find depends mainly on your aerial and on the Freeview signal and reception in your house. From my experience so far I would have no hesitation in recommending it as a 5000T replacement, the only thing it currently lacks is official versions of Netflix and NowTV (which I don't use anyway) but by using Android at least there are workarounds. It also comes with an excellent and ergonomic ‘learning’ remote that can ape your TV’s remote for commands like standby, input changing and volume. Once you’ve let it scan and tune-in digital TV channels – 85 of them in total, including 15 in HD – attach it to your home network (using WiFi or the Ethernet LAN port on the rear) and you’ll instantly power up a slew of catch-up TV apps.

I see no point in having channel favourites if it reverts back to the full channel list after going into standby or using the P+ button, I have deleted many unused channels to get a usable channel list. And if a show/movie that aired last week is available on one of the catchup-apps, you can immediately jump to it and start watching from within the EPG. You can connect to your existing TV via HDMI and experience stunning HD with Dolby Digital Plus surround sound. Furthermore, the FVP-5000t doesn’t support ITVX (ITV’s replacement for ITV Hub), and probably never will. The same goes for the internet-based streaming shows (which we’ll touch upon in a second) – those have nothing to do with the Freeview signal, and they look excellent on the T3-R.The Manhattan T4 Freeview Play box, which will replace the T3, and the Manhattan T4-R, which will replace the T3-R.

They say the installation was easy, setting a recording is simple, and the handset is easy to operate. If you go with WiFi, you’ll have to enter the password using the remote, and at that point, the T3-R will also check for software updates.In addition to the channel selection, there’s a full complement of mainstream catch-up apps (they come as part of the Freeview Play package). At least it guarantees that the Manhattan T3-R is future-proof for when Freeview Play steps up a gear and embraces 4K broadcasts.

And because it can control your TV’s volume, power and input selection†, you won’t need another remote. Or rather, you WON’T notice it – we’re used to things working fast, and when they do, we take it for granted these days.

So to summarise, if you watch a lot of programmes on Freeview channels, and you’re looking to upgrade your experience with a faster interface, the ability to record shows, and a convenient integration with the UK’s popular catch-up apps, the T3-R fits the bill. Looks like a unit I’d be interested in to replace my Humax at some point, if the manual timers and padding time to recordings were implemented. Hearst UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 30 Panton Street, Leicester Square, London, SW1Y 4AJ. You can also access the streaming apps directly – most of them require free registration, though you’re better off registering on your PC or phone, and then just sign-in on the TV. Would have given it 5 Stars if volume button increased/decreased on a sliding scale as opposed to chunks, being either to loud or to quiet, can be fine tuned using original Samsung remote, but need to have both remotes at hand as one likes it louder and the other one likes it quieter!

But we’re told that despite the delays so far, an update that will add ITVX support is expected in April. It also allows the adding of content scheduled to broadcast in the future, as well as the setting of reminders. Audio visual quality is top-notch, having the ability to stream in 4K from YouTube is welcome, and the Freeview Play interface is on the right side of leading-edge. For example, I’ve just started watching Casualty 15 mins after it started recording, and it began from the start of the recording. They issue interim software updates every so often and they be able to advise you on whether there is an update available for your unit.The obvious stand out difference would be that the Manhattan only records 2 programmes at once but apart from that i'm not sure what other differences there are? Its fast, responsive and has excellent PQ on both HD and SD (live and recorded) is quiet in operation and has great sound, but I use a JBL pseudo 5. If your device is located far away from your router, you might want to look into a WiFi range booster. If you then sign in to your YouTube account, you will be able to use your smartphone to find videos or playlists to watch, and “cast” them from the phone directly to the TV screen.