Manhattan T3-R Freeview Play 4K Smart Recorder 500GB & Signal Booster, SLx TV Two Output Amplifier 27822HSR With Integrated 4G Filter - Improve Picture Quality And Channel Reception -Grey

So this is a review for the Manhattan T3-R Freeview Play 4K Smart Recorder 1TB which is the new upgraded PVR - I wanted to make that clear, because some of the reviews here appear to be talking about another model for some reason.I spent some time reading reviews for other top line recent PVR models before deciding on the Manhattan T3-R. We've been with Sky for 15 years, the missus has gotten used to the Sky box interface and even though we'd been paying over the odds for years, we felt reluctant to go down the freeview/PVR route because there didn't appear to be anything out there that could match the interface of the guide, recordings, etc. But the kids are watching Netflix these days, we rarely watch Sky content, so it seemed prudent to start looking for a decent PVR. You're probably reading this because you're afraid of making that leap into something different. We were in the same boat.After spending a few weeks with it now, we're so relieved that it seems to do pretty much everything the Sky Q box could and I'm left bewildered by some of the reviews written against this product here which almost made me not buy it in the first place.So first of all let's dispel some false claims written in some of the other reviews... Yes, it *can* pause and rewind live TV, quickly and effortlessly. You *can* watch from the start of a program that is currently recording. You *can* choose from the guide and start recording a program from the guide. You *can* move frame by frame forward should you want to. I say all these things because I've done them and there is at least one other review here that oddly said you couldn't.I like the fact you can record a single program, or set it to record an entire series if you want to. Brilliant for Corrie, Eastenders and all the other rubbish the wife watches!You can press a button 'Recordings' on the remote and it neatly lists the recordings in either 'All' or 'By Series' - You can see scheduled recordings you have set to record into the future. If you delete a program you've recorded, it even saves it for a while in the 'Trash' tab section - Just in case the kids decided to delete the last episode of Peaky Blinders before you got to watch it! Just fish it out from the trash. When you first plug it in, it searches for all the channels automatically. The channels are then all listed into a guide which has its own button on the remote. All the Freeview HD channels are crisp, record and then play perfectly in superb quality. The 'Home' menu also includes apps such as YouTube and YouTube Kids. The unit is very responsive and does not lag at all when flipping around in the menu, which I believe is a common complaint for PVRs.Going back to the guide, the programs are not only listed nicely, but you also get program information, photos of the programs (not in every case), all similar to what you might see on the Sky box interface.- *edit* We've had the unit for months now and it has never let us down recording something we wanted. I thought it might flip out over Christmas with all the recordings we gave it to do (some of them airing on different channels at the same time), but it managed the tasks perfectly.So what *don't* I like about it?- {*edit* Have used this device extensively for several months now)... The single most frustrating issue this device has is an *infrequent* syncing issue between audio and visual on recordings. In fairness, I must stress it only happens *sometimes* but the sound will (ever so slightly) go out of sync with the picture. It seems to happen more if you are pausing a lot, rewinding, forwarding through a program. It's not permanent for that recording and it can be resolved by stopping the program, going back out to the menu and back into it again where it will resume where you left it (or switching the device into standby and on again). It doesn't happen a lot, but the fact it happens at all is frustraing. I'm hoping a future software/firmware update will resolve this issue.- Some have mentioned it, and I'm inclined to agree, I think it would be nice in addition to the static blue LED light at the front have a recording lamp, so you know when it's recording. You just have blue for 'on' and red for 'stand by' modes. It's not a deal breaker for me though, maybe I was just used to having that with Sky.- Would be nice to have apps like NowTV (missus watches Teen Mom! on MTV... I know, I know) available on the main menu. Fortunately our smart TV has the app, but would be nice to have it and others on the Manhattan.There are a couple of minor quirky software peeves that I come across every now and again but nothing major that would put you off this excellent machine.In general, we are delighted with it. The remote is a little 'clunky' and the missus prefers the modern Sky remote we got with the Sky Q box - She'll miss it only because she's used to the Sky remote, but again - Not a deal breaker. I found myself getting annoyed with her that somehow she preferred paying £90 p/m just so she can feel all jolly with a superior remote control unit!It's worth saying the interface is certainly different to Sky's. It will take you a short while to get used to it, but once you do, it's just as functional, if not more functional than the Sky Q box interface.I'll be sure to come back and update this review and edit it (already have, twice) should anything go wrong with the unit, but for now at least, we're over the moon with this purchase and will save us a small fortune in the long run!

I've been using set top boxes for more years than I care to remember, and I'm thrilled with this one. The one I had previously to this one was a Humax, which was dreadful. It only recorded when it felt like it and the picture was rubbish, regularly going all pixilated. So I gave up and looked for something else. There doesn't seem to be a great range of these boxes any more, which I don't really understand, but I decided on this Manhattan, and I'm so pleased I did. It's a great little machine, very easy to set up, took me less than five minutes. In fact the longest thing it took me to do was registering it with all the apps I wanted to use - IPlayer, ITV HUB, etc etc.If you're wondering why I didn't give it the full five stars, it's because of the remote control. I'm afraid I really don't like it, but will tolerate it because I'm so pleased with the box. I have severe arthritis in my hands and find many of the buttons too close together, so I'm constantly catching the wrong one. I really have to watch what I'm doing to make sure I press the button I want. It's quite a shame, as everything else is so good I'd have given even more stars for the setup if only the remote was more user friendly.Having said that I was so pleased with everything else (apart from the remote!) I bought a second box for another room, and I'm just as pleased with that one as I am with this.I'm thinking I should maybe look around to see if I can find replacement remotes that would be easier for me to use.Having said all this, if you have no problems with your hands, I wouldn't let this put you off buying this box, as I think it's ace.

Good unit and adequate for most jobs.Not happy at all with the inability to organise the order of the channels sequence for personal convenience.My old plasma Tv and old Sony recorder had this brilliant function instead the numbers are all over the place.There is a favourite function that would have been better served as a channel sort function.Have had for 3 days and the usual difficulty with most modern equipment, otherwise not to difficult.Still not decided if should return as not convenient for me as used to far better functionality on my other equipment.Perhaps the designers should consider sometimes the requirements and usability of people instead of sitting around the boardroom table and thinking between themselves that sounds a good idea.In all this it is ok if you don’t mind faffing around the channel list ,Otherwise it’s worth buying as value for money its fine and not overpriced like other brands and the software and all accounts not buggy like a more expensive brand..

Firstly, I am used to Sky Q which is arguably the best box but not worth the money IMO. I cut Sky loose after reviewing their extortionate costs against what I actually watched, much of which was free anyway. They even made me send back the two Sky Q mini boxes which I paid £99 each for stating Sky only 'lend' them to you. I was worried a freeview box would be a massive comedown in quality but have been pleasantly surprised. The interface is nice and the picture quality excellent. It's easy to use once you've played around with it for a few mins and the layout is well thought out and easy on the eye. At no point have I felt like this was a step down or compromise. My LG TV has dedicated Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ apps so between that and the Manhattan box I really don't miss Sky. I am now over £1000 per year better off and very, very happy with my setup.

I brought this as a replacement for my virgin box and I'm not sorry I did. Worth getting the 1tb box as you never know when you need the extra recording space like away on your holidays. Great picture quality which is a plus but I'm so used to my old controller the new one is taking time to get used to but we will get there. Besides that little thing I'm am saving a fortune on monthly bills and got sky broadband to so my spending has gone down and that means alot in the current climate so don't delay in getting this British made box.