FAQ

Does Aero support 4K HDR?

Yes. Aero outputs in 4K and supports 4K streaming from BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and YouTube. It supports HDR10 and HDR10+. Dolby Vision isn’t supported, but HDR10+ includes dynamic metadata, which delivers an excellent HDR picture.

Please note that Freely live TV channels aren’t currently broadcast in 4K. If and when 4K streams become available on Freely, Aero will support them automatically.

Which refresh rate should I use?

The default refresh rate is 60Hz, which generally gives the best experience across Freely, Netflix, and YouTube. If you mainly watch Freely and notice any frame rate issues, you can switch to 50Hz in the settings.

For HDMI 2.1 TVs, the Aero can switch refresh rates dynamically using Quick Media Switching. An Auto Frame Rate option is coming soon for all TVs.

How is it different from Android TV boxes?

The Aero runs TiVo OS rather than Android. This means you can’t sideload apps, but you get Freely and a curated, consistent experience with all the major apps pre-loaded and working reliably. TiVo OS is designed for streaming and includes features like the TiVo+ channels and on-demand library at no extra cost.

What broadband speed do I need?

A connection of 10Mbps or more is sufficient for Freely and streaming apps to work well. However, other network activity in your home can reduce the bandwidth available to Aero and cause buffering or playback issues – for example, someone streaming video in another room, or a phone syncing photos or videos to or from the cloud. If you experience problems, check whether other devices on your network are using a significant amount of bandwidth at the same time.

Can I control Aero with my TV remote?

Yes, the Aero supports HDMI-CEC, so you can control it with your TV remote.

Note: The Home button on TVs opens the TV’s menu rather than the Aero’s Home screen — the included Aero remote works best for full navigation.

Does it support Bluetooth headphones?

Yes, Bluetooth headphones can be connected by going to: Devices → Bluetooth Accessories.

Can I install or sideload apps?

No. The Aero runs TiVo OS, not Android, so apps can’t be sideloaded. All available apps are pre-loaded and found in the All Apps section. New apps are added to TiVo OS regularly.

Can Aero play media files?

The Aero can play media content from a USB drive. Plex is also available if you have a Plex media server. There’s no built-in network media player for accessing files on your local network.

Can I use Aero abroad?

Freely and UK catch-up apps are geo-blocked and only work within the UK.

Why doesn't Manhattan make a Freely recorder?

We don’t, and here’s why a Freely recorder doesn’t really make sense:

Broadcasters don’t allow streamed content to be recorded. That’s a Freely platform limitation. To record, you’d need an aerial for Freeview — meaning a hybrid box would need both broadband and an aerial.

But Freely prioritises the aerial when both are connected, meaning worse picture quality on most channels and no live pause functionality. You’d also need two separate TV Guides since Freely doesn’t support setting recordings.

Rather than making one awkward hybrid that does neither thing well, we’ve made two focused products:

• Want to record, pause, and rewind? The T4‑R gives you full control via your aerial. Connect it to broadband and you also get all the UK catch-up apps.
• Want streaming simplicity with no aerial? The Aero gives you Freely plus all your streaming apps in one place. Fast channel changes, great picture quality, any room with Wi-Fi.

Different tools for different needs.

Do you sell Aero direct?

Manhattan doesn’t sell directly to customers — all purchases are through our retail partners. The Aero is available from Amazon, Currys, John Lewis, and many independent retailers.

Can I pause and rewind live TV?

You can pause live TV for up to 15 minutes, but you can’t rewind.

This is a limitation of the Freely platform – it streams live TV over broadband rather than receiving it through an aerial, so there’s no rolling buffer like you’d get with a Freeview recorder.

If pause and rewind are important to you, our Manhattan T4‑R is a better fit – it offers a 2‑hour rolling buffer with full pause and rewind via your aerial, plus all the UK catch-up and on-demand apps over broadband.

Can I skip ads?

On live TV, no – it’s broadcast in real time, so ads can’t be skipped.

On catch-up and on-demand apps, it depends on the app and your subscription tier. Free tiers typically include non-skippable ads. Some apps offer paid tiers that remove ads – for example, ITVX and Channel 4 both have ad-free subscription options. The apps on the Aero recognises existing ad-free subscriptions, so just sign in with the same account.

Where can I buy a spare remote?

Spare and replacement remotes are available for £19.99 delivered. To order, call 020 8450 0005 and press 0 on the voice menu.

Can I use a universal remote with Aero?

Yes. Universal remotes like Sofabaton or One For All can learn the IR commands from the Aero remote.

To set this up:

1. Unpair the Aero remote by going to Settings → Devices → Remote Control – this puts it back into IR mode
2. Use your universal remote’s learning function to copy the commands from the Aero remote
3. Re-pair the Aero remote via Bluetooth when you’re done

Note that voice control won’t work through a universal remote – that requires the Aero’s own Bluetooth remote.

What's in the box?

The Aero comes with the Aero box itself, a Bluetooth and IR remote control with batteries, a 12V DC power supply with a 2.5‑metre USB‑C cable, an HDMI cable, and a Quick Start Guide.

An Ethernet cable is not included – if you’d prefer a wired connection over Wi-Fi, you’ll need to supply your own. Any standard Ethernet cable (Cat5e, Cat6, or similar) will work.

Can I customise the Freely channel list?

No. You can’t delete, hide, reorder, or favourite channels in the Freely TV Guide. The channel list is managed by Freely at the platform level, not by Manhattan or your Aero. If this is something you’d like to see added, you can let Freely know directly at https://​www​.freely​.co​.uk/help – the more people requesting a feature, the more likely it is to be prioritised.

Can I set programme reminders?

Programme reminders aren’t currently available on the Aero. Freely doesn’t yet offer the ability to mark programmes in the guide for viewing later. You can use My List in Freely to save on-demand content you’d like to come back to, and the TiVo Watchlist for saving content found through the TiVo Home screen. If this is something you’d like to see added, you can let Freely know directly at https://​www​.freely​.co​.uk/help – the more people requesting a feature, the more likely it is to be prioritised.

Does Aero support Apple AirPlay?

Apple AirPlay is not currently supported on the Aero. It’s expected to be added in a future software update, but no timeline has been confirmed. In the meantime, the Aero supports Google Cast, so you can cast content from your phone – including audio from apps like Spotify – directly to the Aero.

How do I change my regional TV channels?

Your Aero shows local and regional BBC and ITV stations based on the postcode you entered during setup. If you’ve moved or entered the wrong postcode, you can update it by going to Settings → Live TV → TV Channels → Channel Scan → Start Again. This re-runs the Freely setup process and updates your regional channels to match your new postcode.

Why doesn't the power plug fit my socket?

The UK mains plug supplied with the Aero has a folding earth pin – the top pin. For compact packaging, it ships folded down. Pull the earth pin upwards until it clicks into place, then insert the plug into the socket as normal.

Is Apple AirPlay supported?

Apple AirPlay is not currently supported on the Aero. It’s expected to be added in a future software update, but no timeline has been confirmed. In the meantime, Google Cast is available for casting content from your phone.