Manhattan T2-R 500 GB Freeview HD Recorder - Black

Product Information

The USB port is a bit of a disappointment, as it can only be used for software upgrades. And since software upgrades are easier to do via WiFI or Ethernet, the USB port is all but useless at this point- maybe we’ll get more out of it in the future. Press the “Recordings” button on your remote, and you instantly get into your very own VOD library of all the programmes, series and movies you’ve recorded (and it even knows to categorise them like that). After discussion with Arqiva (who manage the UK’s broadcast infrastructure), we implemented improved behaviour on our latest T3-R model. This behaviour has now replaced the Automatic Service Update on the T2-R: So that leaves YouTube. If you search for “4K” on YouTube, you’ll find some interesting content – mostly nature clips and 4K movie trailers. It all looks stunning, but it’s mainly a screensaver replacement and not content you’re actually going to sit down and watch.

However, if you love flipping live channels, but still want to record programmes and watch them on your own time – then a box like the Manhattan T2-R can be perfect for you, with no-fuss smart recording capabilities and a big hard drive. Fixed an issue whereby the volume could not be adjusted on non-HD channels when the ‘Audio Output’ in Picture & Sound Settings was set to ‘Surround’.Not necessarily - older televisions might still require an external box to access Freeview, particularly if you want to watch channels in HD.

Split recordings (normally movies in 2 parts) now show the time after the date so the first part can be easily identified. Further improvements to come. Sadly, the search function doesn’t support searching within the EPG or the recorded shows, for now. Manhattan tell me they are planning to add this feature in a future update). Win: The HUMAX Aura offers a variety of additional features to enhance your TV viewing experience. It includes built-in Chromecast functionality, allowing you to cast content from your smartphone, tablet, or computer directly to your TV. This opens up a world of streaming possibilities and lets you enjoy a wide range of apps and content on the big screen. Additionally, the Aura supports 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR (High Dynamic Range) for stunning picture quality. If you want to find specific shows to watch, you can do so via the global search button. You enter the name of a show (or even just a part of the name), and the T3-R searches within all the catch-up apps, and lets you see all the available episodes. When you select an episode, the appropriate app will automatically start with the right episode ready to play.The Aura boasts four built-in tuners, allowing you to record up to four channels simultaneously while watching a fifth live channel. This impressive capability ensures that you never have to choose between your favourite programs, even if they are airing at the same time. Pause and rewind live TV, record two programmes at once and record entire series at the touch of a button. The 500GB hard drive holds up to 300 hours of recordings, smartly organised into categories and series. It’s also really worthwhile spending the time to look at the key differences between the two products. For that you can use our comparison table about which looks at the main features of both products to give you a clear idea of where one product perhaps benefits over another. When comparing the two it’s a really good idea to have an idea in your mind of the key features that you need from your Set top boxes as this will help you to narrow down the products that do or don’t meet your criteria.