Manhattan's new TiVo-powered 4K streamer has a trick up its sleeve for fans of live TV
Could it rival our favourite streamers from Apple and Amazon?
British manufacturer Manhattan TV has announced the Aero 4K TV, and it's swapping aerial-based Freeview for a more modern live TV solution.
As the name suggests, it will allow users to watch content from their favourite services in 4K, though we're awaiting details regarding HDR and immersive audio (for example, Dolby Atmos) support.
The Aero 4K's main draw is that it supports Freely, which allows you to stream over 60 live TV channels from the likes of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 over wi-fi.
While Freely is already supported on TVs from a handful of manufacutrers including Panasonic and Hisense, Manhattan cites research from YouGov, which claims that "over 70% of Samsung and LG users want Freely on their next TV" (from a sample size of 2,149 participants)
The Aero 4K hopes to step in, allowing users to access the internet broadcasting service without having to fully replace their TV.
Furthermore, the TiVo operating system allows users to access a wide range of international streaming apps, including Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video.
On top of that, TiVo is offering its own internet streaming channels via TiVo+, which features over 400 streaming channels and a selection of on-demand shows and movies, all of which are free to watch.
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All of this can be navigated using TiVo's voice control system (as well as the included remote), and Manhattan claims that the Aero 4K is "simple to set up and easy to use".
It's rare to see a streamer offer users a free content library this extensive, and this is where Manhattan likely hopes to edge out competitors such as the Amazon Fire TV Cube (3rd Generation) and the aforementioned Apple TV 4K.
The Aero 4K undercuts both of those options when it comes to pricing, too. It's set to launch at a wide number of UK retailers in February for £69.99.
MORE:
I’ve tried Freely: here are five things I like and three things that could be improved
Read our full Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (2nd Gen) review
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Lewis Empson is a Senior Staff Writer on What Hi-Fi?. He was previously Gaming and Digital editor for Cardiff University's 'Quench Magazine', Lewis graduated in 2021 and has since worked on a selection of lifestyle magazines and regional newspapers. Outside of work, he enjoys gaming, gigs and regular cinema trips.
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