Manhattan T2-R 500 GB Freeview HD Recorder - Black & CDL Micro 2TV-03BK 3 m Gold Plated TV Aerial Cable (M-M) with Adapter (F-F) - Black

This is a small good looking box, has a 1-click button to record programmes on a large well designed remote with all the constantly used buttons grouped at the top - and that, unfortunately, is about where the positives end. I plugged in all the leads and set it up. The first thing I noticed was my usual sharp, crisp and bright high quality tv picture (HD) was now no more - it was now a very poor quality picture once the norm a few years ago. I found the remote intuitive, I set up the machine and the channels and worked out how to record in well under an hour. Recording is a doddle, bring up the guide, choose the programme and just press one red Record button - all record options are also done through the one red button, you can also record two programmes at the same time. This simple, easy recording facility is the best (and only) positive about the machine. I knew the machine needed upgrading (it wouldn't record a series, had to programme each day separately). So that was the first, and start, of the problems. To download any updates, the machine has to be connected to the internet - via an Ethernet cable, not Wi-fi. Problem one, with both machines at either side of the room I decided to use the USB setup. Followed the internet instructions and downloaded the updates as stated, plugged in - machine said there was no USB connected, took it out, machine said USB disconnected - what? Re-tried with a new un-zipped download - same. Well, I thought, the only option left is the Ethernet cable. Problem two. Luckily we live in a tiny bungalow, I had to pull the TV stand towards the centre of the room and pull the Wi-fi box as close as I could from the other direction and with the Ethernet cable at full stretch between the two, I managed to update the machine. The process to update the software is far harder than it should be I feel, the whole dragging machines and cables to meet in the middle process is not something I wanted to do regularly or even again - and if even going to the palarva I went to is not possible in your home, I do not know how you would go on. When the machine is On/Recording, the light is Blue, when the machine is On Standby/Recording, the light is Red - there is no indication (at first, more later) if the machine is recording, At the beginning I had to physically go into the Recorder and actually check the settings whilst it was recording. After a few days the TV picture started to break up into pixels, also with sound interference, the TV has never done that before, and then I realised it co-incided with the machine recording (in the background, red light). The interference then became so bad that the picture was lost and a message popped up on a black screen saying Signal Lost or no Signal, Check Cables. Turning the machine on (blue light) instantly brought back the picture, I then decided the machine probably must have to be left on. (It goes into Red Light Standby after 3 hours). My husband then told me there had been no interference one night when I was out. Great I thought, the machine is finally settling down - but no, the machine actually failed to record anything at all that day/night. Then two nights later, the sound bar would not respond at all to its remote. The following day, even when the machine wasn't recording, the interference was so great we could not watch the TV. I had had more than enough by now and unplugged the whole thing. And, just like that, we had our beautiful, high quality picture and sound back. Had it less than two weeks with constant and escalating problems - returned.

Brill h.d recorder for my elderly mum,she has no wifi and this records and plays in h.d (15 channels i think in h.d) without the need for wifi/broadband.,if u got wifi it has catch up t.v also. The compact size player also has 1 h.d.m.i cable included that connects the player to t.v,then put the aerial in the player then set up following the easy to follow onscreen instructions after you have used the source button on t.v and select the correct h.d.m.i.Then let it find channels&lift off. Its a great British design and very easy to use. Record a channel and watch another.Remote batteries&manual included.2year guarantee.

I bought a HUMAX 9300t quite a few years ago, but it was too large to fit in the new TV cabinet. So I started to look for a smaller model. I looked at the new Humax, Panasonic and Manhattan.The Humax had a lot of negative reviews regarding the software freezing.The Panasonic had negative reviews regarding the amount of recorded programs, regardless of length.The only negative thing I could see about the Manhattan was the lack of record LED.So, even though I was happy with my old Humax, I decided to trust reviews and buy a product I had only just heard of.I’m happy to say that the gamble paid off. The Manhattan is easy to set up, record, playback etc. They are open to development ideas, always replying to any suggestion, and there have been functionality updates in the 6 months I’ve owned mine.I’ve had one issue, after rescanning I lost some channels, but support were quick, helpful and resolved my issue.The only negative comment is the lack of search feature, something they have told me they are hoping to release in a future update.All in all, especially for the price, I’m very satisfied!

Bought this for my wife as she spends so much time recording on FreeSat but wanted more freedom to watch and record as all the best programmes seem to be on at the same time. Very good finish on product and seemed reasonably straight forward to connect up. However nothing seemed to be working, no joy with the remote, so contacted the support help line which was so quick I couldn't believe it, and so helpful! It turned out I had made a silly error in making a wrong connection of the hdmi cable to the back of the tv!It's a wonderful picture and my wife is absolutely delighted with it and is now recording mad, and likes the epg more than the SatNav one. I give it full marks on everything and with some of the problems mentioned by others I can only assume that they must have aerial problems or bad reception in their area.

Picture quality, ease of recording, access to recorded programmes are 5 star.Only lacks indicator for recording time.Overall outstanding value for money and includes 2 year warranty

I purchased this box to facilitate recording of programmes within the Freeview system. Initially the recordings were somewhat intermittent with some programmes not being recorded at all.I tried various set-up arrangements and eventually got the machine working however the picture quality was somewhat poor.After some time and attempts to improve the situation I had to admit defeat after noting films being recorded with the last part omitted. I arranged for return of the item. The return procedure proved very easy and efficient.

I’m sure this is a good tv recorder but I wish I New what I was doing wrong , records great but 3 nights in a row I’ve went to watch what I’ve recorded ( it did record I checked ) and it’s gone I’m sure I’ll work it out eventually will change to 5 stars once I’ve worked out what I’m doing wrong lol... UPDATE when I record series it records but then later on it’s gone if you just record episode hey presto it’s still there to watch think a update might fix it but recording episode will do for now :)