Knowledge Base
{{shortmodel}}
Using Your {{shortmodel}}
Home Screen & Menus
The Home Screen
Quickly access all your short-model’s menus, apps and live programmes from the Home Screen. Press HOME on your short-model remote to open it from anywhere.
Navigating Menus
Use the directional pad to navigate through menus and press OK to select the highlighted item. When a programme is highlighted, the actions you can take and the related buttons to press are shown at the top of the screen. For example, you can press OK to watch a live programme or set a reminder for an upcoming programme, and press to get more information about a programme, including showings, future episodes and episodes available to play on demand.
Press BACK to return to the previous step, such as the current time when browsing the TV Guide, or back to the previous menu.
Exiting Menus & Apps
To close menus and return to full-screen TV, press EXIT. You can also press EXIT to close an app like BBC iPlayer and return to where you opened it.
Watching TV
Browsing Channels & Programmes
While watching TV, press OK or to show the Channel Browser. Use the directional pad to browse what’s on later or on other channels. If you’ve added Favourite Channels, press to cycle through them.
For more information about a highlighted programme, including showings, future episodes and episodes available to play on demand, press again.
Changing Channels
- Press P‑UP or P‑DOWN to go up or down a channel
- Use the number buttons to directly enter a channel number
- Press to return to the last channel viewed
Live Pause
Accessibility Options
Zoom Menus
Press ZOOM on your short-model remote to enlarge menus for easier viewing. To return to normal size, press ZOOM again.
Accessibility Settings & Menu Preferences
Press HOME and select Settings to customise accessibility and menu preferences. Choose Accessibility & Language for Subtitles and Audio Description options, and Menu Preferences to adjust menu transparency, the default TV Guide view and more.
Filter Programmes
All menus let you filter programmes by Subtitles, Audio Description or Sign Language. The current filter status is shown on screen, alongside a prompt to press to view the filter options.
By default, filters are cleared after the short-model enters standby, but you can change this so they clear every time you exit a menu, or never. To update this setting, press HOME and go to: Settings > Menu Preferences > Clear Filters Automatically.
Subtitles & Audio Description
While watching TV, press S/AD, then select the on-screen option to turn Subtitles or Audio Description on or off.
TV Guide
Overview
Open the TV Guide from the Home Screen or by pressing GUIDE on your short-model remote. You can browse what’s on over the next week, or catch up on available programmes from the past week.
The top of the screen displays information and actions available for the highlighted programme. To watch a programme or set a reminder for a future programme, press OK. Programmes marked with will offer the option to restart them in the channel’s associated app. Programmes marked with are available on demand and can be watched immediately. Alternatively, you can add them to your Watchlist to watch later by pressing .
Quickly Navigate
- Press or to jump a day backwards or forwards
- Use the number buttons to enter a channel number directly
- Press P‑UP or P‑DOWN to scroll up or down a page at a time
Favourite Channels
Press to add or remove the highlighted channel from your Favourites.
Changing View
Grid View
The default view. This displays seven channels at once, so you can quickly scan what’s on across multiple channels.
Channel View
Focuses on a single channel, listing all its upcoming programmes for the next seven days.
Genre View
Lists programmes chronologically by genre, regardless of which channel they’re on. So whether a film is on BBC One or Film4, you’ll find it in the same place.
Genre view is particularly handy if you’re in the mood for something specific – like a film or a documentary – but don’t want to scroll through every channel to find one.
Filtering by Channel & Accessibility
Press to show filter options. You can filter channels by Favourites, TV, HD or Radio, and programmes by Subtitles, Audio Description or Sign Language. Programmes not matching your filter will appear dimmed in the Grid view and hidden in the Channel and Genre views.
More Info & Episodes
Press to get more information about a programme, including showings, future episodes and episodes available to play on demand.
Recordings
Overview
Your short-model can record two programmes at the same time as you watch a third channel with live pause. If you try to record more than two programmes at once, the short-model will alert you and provide options to resolve the clash, including alternative broadcasts if available.
To view and manage your recordings, scheduled recordings and reminders, open Recordings from the Home Screen or press RECS on your short-model remote. The menu is divided into categories displayed as tabs across your screen. The Scheduled category is always shown, while others appear when they contain recordings. To get around, use the directional pad to navigate between categories and recordings.
The main categories are:
- Scheduled: Your planned recordings and reminders.
- All: A complete list of all your recordings.
- Continue: Recordings or series you’re in the middle of watching.
- Series: Recordings that are part of a series.
- Kept: Recordings you’ve chosen to keep, that won’t be deleted automatically.
- Recently Deleted: Deleted recordings that can be recovered.
Additionally, genres like Movies, Sport and Kids will appear as categories when there are one or more recordings in that genre.
Recordings from a series or programmes split into multiple parts are automatically organised into folders. To play a recording or open a folder, press OK. If you’ve previously started watching, you’ll have the option to resume or restart playback.
Watched Status
The solid circle ‘●’ before a recording in the list means you haven’t watched it yet. An empty circle ‘o’ means you’ve started but not finished it. When a partially watched recording is highlighted, a white bar indicates your progress.
Organising Recordings
Press to show options for organising the highlighted recording or folder.
Change Genre
Recordings are grouped into categories based on their genre. Changing a recording’s genre lets you customise its placement within the menu, and this change applies to all episodes in a series and parts of a split recording. Alongside the default Freeview genres assigned by the broadcaster, you can also choose ‘Comedy’, ‘Music’ or ‘Sci-Fi & Fantasy’.
Mark as Watched/Unwatched
Manually mark a recording or entire folder as watched or unwatched using this option. This can be particularly useful when combined with the filtering options.
Keep/Don’t Keep
When the recording storage is full, the short-model automatically deletes older recordings to make space for new ones. Select Keep to prevent a recording from being removed.
Deleting & Recovering Recordings
Press to delete a recording or folder. By default, there’s no warning when deleting a recording, but a warning appears for folders. You can change this in: Settings > Recording & Playback. If you accidentally delete something, you can recover it from the Recently Deleted tab for up to 30 days or until space is needed.
Filtering Recordings
Press to show filter options. You can filter recordings by watched status, as well as the availability of Subtitles, Audio Description or Sign Language. Recordings, categories and folders that don’t match the filter will be hidden. Please note that the Scheduled and Recently Deleted categories cannot be filtered.
During recording, a white LED on the front of the short-model will be visible. You can disable this in standby by going to: Settings > Recording & Playback.
Sorting
Press to change to the next sort option for your recordings:
- Most categories are sorted New to Old by default, with the newest recordings at the top. You can reverse this order or change it to A‑Z for alphabetical sorting.
- The Scheduled category is sorted by Upcoming, with what’s coming up next by default. You can change this to A‑Z for alphabetical sorting.
- Inside series folders, the order is Old to New by default, with the oldest recordings at the top. You can reverse this order.
- The Continue category can’t be sorted and always displays your most recently played recordings at the top.
Your sort choices are remembered for future browsing.
The Scheduled Category
Here you’ll find all your upcoming recordings and reminders. Series episodes scheduled over the next seven days are grouped into folders.
Managing Scheduled Recordings
To view options for any scheduled item, highlight it and press OK. From here you can:
- Cancel the recording or entire series
- Skip an episode
- Add or remove a reminder
To change the genre of a scheduled recording or series, press .
To cancel a series recording, navigate into the series folder first, then highlight any episode and press OK. You’ll see the option to cancel the whole series from there.
Resolving Clashes
Future episodes in a series may clash with other scheduled recordings. When this happens, a yellow warning icon appears on the Scheduled tab.
Episodes that won’t be recorded due to a clash are marked with . To resolve a clash, highlight the affected episode and press OK.
Playback
To pause or resume playback, press either or OK. There are multiple ways to control and navigate your recordings:
- Seeking: Press or to rewind or fast forward, increasing the speed with each press. Press the opposite button to decrease the speed.
- Short Skips: Press to skip back 10 seconds or to skip forward 30 seconds. To change the intervals, go to: Settings → Playback.
- Large Leaps: Hold or to jump in increments of 10% of the recording.
- Go To Specific Time: Press to open the Go To menu. Use the number buttons to enter a specific time, or press again to restart playback.
To stop playback and return to Recordings, press or EXIT. By default, recordings in folders will play continuously through, but this can be changed by going to: Settings → Playback → Autoplay Next Recording.
Live Pause
Overview
The short-model continuously records up to two hours of the channel you’re watching in a buffer. This means you can pause live TV or rewind to something you missed – without having set a recording.
Entering Live Pause
There are a few ways to enter Live Pause:
- Press to pause what you’re watching
- Press to rewind
- Press to skip back 10 seconds
Once you’re in Live Pause, the Playback Bar appears briefly at the bottom of the screen. Press or OK to bring it back up. The bar shows the current programme and channel – rewind past the start of a programme and it’ll update to show the previous one.
Controlling Playback
- Press or OK to pause and resume
- Press or to rewind or fast forward, increasing the speed with each press
- Press to skip back 10 seconds, or to skip forward 30 seconds
For more playback options – including large leaps and jumping to a specific time, see the Playback section.
Recording from Live Pause
To record the programme you’re watching, press . This will include any of the programme already in the buffer.
Changing channel clears the buffer and starts recording fresh on the new channel.
Returning to Live TV
Press or EXIT to leave Live Pause and return to live TV.
Featured & On Demand
Overview
Open Featured from the Home Screen to explore top on-demand programmes from all your favourite broadcasters, arranged into categories like Comedy, Movies and Sport. Use the directional pad to browse through the categories and programmes, or press to display the complete list of categories.
On-demand programmes are marked with the icon and can also be found in the TV Guide, Search Results and More Info. When a programme is highlighted:
- Press OK to play it in its associated player app
- Press to add it to your Watchlist for later viewing
- Press to open the More Info screen, where you’ll find detailed information, available actions, and – where available – more episodes to browse
Press to filter the programmes shown by subtitles, audio description or sign language.
Watchlist
Overview
Open Watchlist from the Home Screen to browse on-demand programmes you’ve saved for later. To add a programme to your Watchlist, press when it’s highlighted in Featured, Search Results, or anywhere else you see the icon.
When a programme is highlighted, its availability is shown at the top of the screen. This is set by the broadcaster, so varies between programmes. You can:
- Press OK to play it
- Press to remove it from your Watchlist
- Press to open the More Info screen for detailed information and more episodes
Once a programme expires, it moves to the Recently Expired section for 14 days before being removed.
Press to filter your Watchlist by subtitles, audio description or sign language.
Search
Overview
To find broadcast and on demand programmes, open Search from the Home Screen or by pressing SEARCH on your short-model remote.
Enter a programme’s name using the on-screen keyboard. Search is not case sensitive. As you type, suggestions will appear below your search term. To view results, highlight your selection and press OK.
You can select either:
- A suggestion – shows exact matches only
- Your search term – shows exact and partial matches
For example, selecting the EastEnders suggestion will only show EastEnders. But selecting your search term EastEnders will also find Classic EastEnders.
Recent Searches
When you open Search, your recent searches will be displayed for quick selection. To clear all recent searches, press before entering a search term. Alternatively, to remove only a specific search, highlight it and press .
Reminders
Using Reminders
Automatic Wake-up & Channel Switching
By default, the short-model won’t wake from standby for a reminder, and you need to select Watch to change channel.
To change this, enable Reminder Auto Watch in Settings → System. The short-model will then automatically switch on and tune to the channel when a reminder triggers. If you’re already watching, the channel changes automatically once the countdown ends.
Your {{shortmodel}} Remote
Remote Control Buttons
Guide to the remote’s buttons
The standby button blinks blue whenever you press a button on the remote. To toggle this off or on, hold S/AD and 1 for 3 seconds.
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
| Standby on/off | |
| TV Standby on/off (see p.16) | |
| TV input selection (see p.16) | |
| Play/Pause | |
| Rewind | |
| Fast Forward | |
| Stop | |
| Open the Settings menu | |
| Open the TV Guide | |
| Show the Channel Browser when watching TV or More Info for a highlighted programme | |
| Navigate through menus and confirm selection | |
| Go back a step in menus | |
| Exit menus & apps | |
| Open the Featured menu | |
| Open the Search menu | |
| Open the Home Screen | |
| Turn volume up/down | |
| Change channel when watching TV or navigate menu pages | |
| Mute volume | |
| Swap to the last channel viewed when watching TV or perform the on-screen function in menus | |
| Colour Buttons: Perform the on-screen function | |
| … | Enter a channel number |
| Show the Subtitles & Audio Description menu when watching TV | |
| Zoom in on menus |
TV Control
Controlling your TV with the remote
You can teach the five highlighted buttons on the short-model’s remote to control your TV:
- TV power
- TV input selection
- Volume +
- Volume –
- Mute
Initially, the Volume and Mute buttons control your short-model’s sound. However, for the best sound quality and consistent volume across your TV’s sources, you can teach these buttons to control your TV’s volume directly instead.
The and buttons do nothing until you teach them to control these functions on your TV.
Learning Steps
Follow the steps below to teach the remote how to control your TV, or watch the video for a visual guide.
⚠️ Before Starting
- Set your short-model’s volume to maximum for correct TV volume after setup.
- Put your short-model’s in standby to prevent accidental operation during learning.
- Position your short-model and TV remotes facing each other, a finger-width apart.
1. Press the S/AD and ZOOM buttons on the short-model remote for 3 seconds to enter learning mode.
→ The short-model remote’s button will glow blue.
2. Press the button on the short-model remote you want to teach: Volume +, Volume –, Mute, or .
→ The short-model remote’s button will start blinking.
3. Press and hold the corresponding button on the TV remote.
→ If successfully learnt, the light from the short-model remote’s button will turn off for a second, then turn solid blue. → If it fails to be learnt, the light from the short-model remote’s button will flash 4 times, and you will need to repeat Step 2.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for all the buttons to teach.
5. Press OK on your short-model remote to exit learning mode.
→ The light from the short-model remote’s button will turn off.
Test the Buttons #
Test each button with your TV. If a button doesn’t work, repeat the steps to teach it again.
Resetting Learned Buttons #
To clear all learned buttons and start fresh, press and hold S/AD and for 3 seconds. The button will flash blue once to confirm.
Tips for Success #
- Use fresh, non-rechargeable batteries in both remotes – weak or rechargeable batteries can cause learning problems.
- When teaching a button, press and hold the TV remote button until the short-model remote’s LED becomes solid. If not held long enough, volume controls may require repeated presses instead of a single hold.
- If your TV remote’s infrared transmitter is positioned higher than the short-model’s, slightly elevate the short-model remote to align them properly.
Troubleshooting #
- Smart TV remotes with Bluetooth capabilities (voice/mouse control) must be in infrared mode to work:
- For LG TVs, please see our guide.
- For other TVs, consult your TV’s user manual for instructions on switching to infrared mode, or contact your TV manufacturer for assistance.
- If you didn’t set your short-model to full volume before teaching the remote, you may notice no sound or low volume on SD channels. HD channels may still have sound if you’re using Dolby. To restore maximum volume, press: Home → 9 → 5 → 1 → RED.
- Some TVs use non-standard remote signals and may not be compatible with the short-model remote.
Remote Pairing
Pair your and remote to prevent interference with other Manhattan devices
Your short-model comes with a pairing feature that connects your remote and box specifically to each other. Once paired, only that remote can control that box, and that box will only respond to that remote. This feature is particularly useful if you’ve got one or more other Manhattan products that you want to use alongside a short-model. It allows you to:
- Use up to nine T4 or T4•R’s in the same room without them interfering with each other.
- Use up to eight T4 or T4•R’s in the same room as a T2•R, T3 or T3•R without any interference.
How to pair a short-model remote and short-model box #
While your short-model is turned on and active:
- Press and hold the button and a number button (1−9) on the short-model remote for 3 seconds.
- A message will confirm: “The remote and box are paired on remote channel X.”
To change just the remote’s channel without affecting the box, press and hold P‑UP and a number button (0−9) for 3 seconds. This lets you use one remote to control multiple Manhattan boxes on different channels.
How to return to universal mode #
To unpair your remote and box, pair them on channel 0:
- Press and hold the button and 0 on the short-model remote for 3 seconds.
- A message will confirm: “The remote and box are in universal mode.”
How to check the channel setting #
While the short-model is turned on and active:
- Press and hold both the and buttons at the same time for 3 seconds.
- The short-model will display a message on the screen indicating its channel number.
- The remote’s standby button will flash blue to indicate its channel:
- Flashes correspond to channel number (e.g., 5 flashes for Channel 5)
- Solid blue for 3 seconds indicates Channel 0 (Universal)
Compatibility with Other Manhattan Devices #
Channel 0 (Universal)
- When a remote or box is set to Channel 0, they will work together regardless of pairing.
- On this channel, a short-model will also respond to T2•R, T3, and T3•R remotes.
- When you factory reset a short-model, it reverts to Channel 0, but the remote keeps its channel setting. Because Channel 0 is universal, they’ll still work together.
Channels 1 – 9
Channel 1 is used by the T2•R, T3, and T3•R. If you pair your short-model on Channel 1, it will respond to those older remotes, and your short-model remote will control those older boxes.
If you’re using older Manhattan devices in the same room as your short-model, pair your short-model on channels 2 – 9 to avoid interference.
FAQs
Can I use the outside the UK?
No, the short-model is designed specifically for use in the UK with Freeview Play.
If you try to use the short-model outside the UK:
- You may not be able to receive TV signals as the short-model is built for the UK’s D‑Book TV specification and DVB‑T and DVB-T2 broadcasts.
- Streaming services like BBC iPlayer and ITVX will be blocked due to geographical restrictions.
- Programme guide data and information will not be available.
We recommend purchasing the short-model only if you live in the UK.
Do I need to use the HDMI cable provided with the ?
We recommend using the HDMI cable supplied with your short-model for the best performance.
Using an older or lower-spec HDMI cable (e.g., HDMI 1.4) may not support the bandwidth required for 4K HDMI 2.0 signals, leading to issues like picture freezing, picture loss or HDMI-CEC features not working.
If Using a Different Cable, ensure it’s a high-speed HDMI cable rated for HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1
Can I watch Freeview channels without an aerial?
You’ll need an aerial to watch most channels on your short-model. However, a small number of channels can be streamed over the internet, but these cannot be recorded.
Freeview Play internet channels #
When connected to the internet, the short-model can stream these channels without an aerial:
- 301 BBC Three
- 302 BBC Scotland
- 303 BBC ALBA
- 501 BBC News
- 502 BBC Parliament
These channels will appear if you connected your short-model to the internet during setup and selected to receive them. If you didn’t have the internet connected at that time but do now, you can perform a retune by going to:
Home → Settings → Channels → Auto Retune → Retune & Clear Preferences.
Please note that Freeview Play Channel Management must be turned on to receive these internet channels. It’s enabled by default, but if you turned it off, you can switch it back on by going to:
Home → Settings → Channels → Freeview Play Channel Management.
Learn more about Freeview Play Channel Management here.
Live TV through apps #
You can also find additional live channels from the BBC in the BBC iPlayer app. Additional live TV options are planned for ITVX and other apps in future updates.
Hybrid channels (aerial and internet needed) #
Some channels in the 200 range are hybrid channels, streaming live content via apps. For example, 254 On Demand 365 provides Crime, History, and Nature channels, while 255 France 24 streams multiple versions of the news channel. However, you’ll need an aerial to tune these hybrid channels first, before accessing their internet streams.
Important note about aerials #
For reliable reception of most Freeview channels, we recommend using a rooftop or loft aerial. Indoor aerials typically don’t provide adequate signal strength or quality.
How do I use the Web Remote to control my ?
You can control your model using a virtual remote on your phone, tablet or computer through any web browser. Your device must be connected to the same network as your short-model.
To set up and use the Web Remote:
Enable the Web Remote:
- Go to Home → Settings → Internet → Browsing Options → Web Remote.
- Press OK to turn it on.
- A web address will appear on your TV screen..
Access the Web Remote:
- Make sure your device is connected to the same network as your short-model.
- Open a web browser on your device.
- Enter the web address shown on your TV screen into the browser’s address bar.
Use the Web Remote:
- Once connected, a virtual remote will appear on your screen, working just like your physical remote.
Note: The Web Remote cannot currently be used to wake your short-model from standby mode.
Can I use multiple T4/T4•R boxes in the same room without remote interference?
Yes, you can use multiple T4/T4•R boxes in the same room without the remotes interfering with each other. Each T4/T4•R can be paired with its own remote control to ensure it only responds to that specific remote.
To learn how do this, please see: Pair your T4•R and remote to prevent interference with other Manhattan devices.
Can I browse the web on my ?
No, while the short-model uses a web browser to run streaming apps like BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub, it doesn’t support general web browsing.
This design choice helps ensure:
- Stable and reliable performance
- Efficient use of system memory
- Protection against security risks
- Reliable recording functionality (for T4•R)
The pre-installed streaming apps are specially optimised and tested to work within the short-model’s capabilities. Unlike general websites that can use unpredictable amounts of memory (especially those with advertising or social media elements), these apps are designed to work within specific memory limits to maintain consistent performance.
How do I hide or delete channels from my ?
You can manage unwanted channels on your short-model by either hiding or deleting them:
- Go to Home → Settings → Channels → Edit Channels
- Highlight a channel you want to remove, then:
- Press to hide the channel
- Press to delete the channel
- Repeat for additional channels
- Press EXIT when finished and choose Save Changes
Navigation Tips:
- Use P+ and P– to skip through pages quickly
- Type channel numbers directly using the number pad
- Filter channels using to find specific ones more easily
Restoring removed channels #
To unhide channels:
- Return to Edit Channels
- Highlight the hidden channel
- Press to unhide it
To restore deleted channels:
- Go to Home → Settings → Channels → Auto Retune
- Choose one of these options:
- Retune & Keep Preferences: Keeps your favourites, hidden channels, recordings, reminders and region settings. You can choose whether to restore deleted channels.
- Retune & Clear Preferences: Clears all settings and restores deleted channels. Use this when moving home.
Can I transfer recordings from my old Manhattan recorder to the ?
No, it’s not possible to transfer recordings from previous Manhattan models like the T2‑R or T3‑R to the short-model. Due to content protection restrictions, recordings are tied to the device they were recorded on.
How can I check the space remaining for recordings?
There are two ways to check the available storage space on your short-model:
Recordings Menu:
- Press the RECS button on your remote to open the Recordings menu.
- The available free space is displayed at the top of the screen as a percentage. This percentage includes space used by programmes in the Recently Deleted section.
- If you don’t see this information, press the Zoom button on your remote to zoom out. The free space is not visible when zoomed in.
Detailed Storage Information:
- Press Home on your remote.
- Navigate to Information → Hard Drive.
- Here, you can see the total capacity, used space, and free space in gigabytes (GB). This free space does not include programmes in the Recently Deleted section.
Understanding Hard Drive Capacity:
- A 500GB hard drive, when formatted, provides approximately 465GB of usable space. This difference is due to how storage manufacturers define gigabytes (1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) versus how computers calculate them (1GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes).
- The EXT4 file system used by the short-model reserves about 7.5GB per 500GB for system use.
- Therefore, the total available space is slightly less than the advertised capacity, which is standard for all storage devices.
Does the support Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Atmos?
The short-model supports Dolby Audio formats, including Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus. However, it does not support Dolby Atmos. Currently, none of the Freeview channels or apps available on the short-model offer content in Dolby Atmos.
How do I watch a recording while it's still being recorded?
You can start watching a programme while it’s still being recorded on your short-model:
- Press RECS on your remote
- Find the programme currently recording (marked with a red recording icon)
- Press OK to start watching from the beginning
While watching:
- The playback bar shows:
- A white dot for your current position
- A red bar showing how much has been recorded
- A grey section for the remaining recording time
- You can fast-forward up to the current recording point
- You can’t skip past what has been recorded
Tip: This feature is great for starting to watch long programmes like sports events or films before they’ve finished recording.
Does the require Wi-Fi or an internet connection to work?
No, the short-model can function as a standard Freeview TV recorder without an internet connection. You can set it up and use core features like watching and recording live TV without Wi-Fi.
However, connecting the short-model to the internet enhances your experience by providing:
- Software Updates: Receive the latest updates for improved performance and new features.
- Programme Images: View images associated with programmes for a richer browsing experience.
- Additional Programme Information: Access detailed information, including secondary titles, series, and episode numbers.
- Search Functionality: Search for both live broadcast programmes (up to 7 days ahead) and on-demand content.
If you prefer not to connect to the internet, you can perform software updates using a USB stick.
What apps are available on the ?
The short-model offers a subscription-free experience with access to a variety of popular UK on-demand apps:
- BBC iPlayer
- ITVX
- Channel 4 (All 4)
- My5
- U (formerly UKTV Play)
- YouTube
- GREAT! Player
- Watch Free UK
- PBS America
- POP Player
- BBC Sounds
- STV Player
- S4C / Clic
- Explore Freeview Play
These apps provide a wide range of content, including catch-up TV, box sets, and exclusive programming. Please note that app availability is subject to change, and new apps may be added in future updates.
Can I use the with a satellite dish?
No, the short-model is designed for use with a rooftop aerial to receive Freeview terrestrial broadcasts. It is not compatible with satellite dishes used for services like Freesat or Sky. To receive TV broadcasts with the short-model, you’ll need to connect it to a suitable aerial.
How do I customise HDMI-CEC features on my ?
The short-model supports HDMI-CEC features, which allows TVs and connected devices to control each other through the HDMI cable. You can adjust these settings by going to Home → Settings → System → HDMI Control.
Here are the options available:
Activation Sync (Default: On)
- Automatically turns on TVs and connected devices when the short-model is used
- Puts the short-model into standby when the TV is switched off
Turn Off Devices (Default: Off)
- Turns off TVs and connected devices when the short-model is switched off
Input Activation (Default: Off)
- Turns on the short-model when you switch to its HDMI input on your TV
- Turns on the short-model when the TV is switched on, as long as the short-model’s input was last selected
Important: HDMI-CEC must also be enabled on your TV and other connected devices. #
Manufacturers use different names for HDMI-CEC, such as:
- Samsung: Anynet+
- Sony: BRAVIA Sync
- LG: SimpLink
- Panasonic: VIERA Link
- Philips: EasyLink
- Toshiba: Regza Link
- Sharp: Aquos Link
Check your TV or device’s manual for instructions on enabling HDMI-CEC features.
What is the USB port on the used for?
Does the have the Teletext function? What does the TEXT button do?
The traditional Red Button teletext service, which used the old MHEG technology, is no longer supported by new Freeview Play TVs and set-top boxes, including the short-model. Modern devices now use HbbTV technology to power the Connected Red Button service, which requires an internet connection. For more information, please visit the BBC’s Red Button help page.
The TEXT button on your remote is required by the UK’s D‑Book TV and HbbTV specifications and is available for HbbTV apps. However, currently, there are no services that utilize it. On the short-model, the TEXT button doubles as a TEXT/ZOOM button:
- TEXT Function: Intended for channels and applications during Full Screen TV, although not in use at present.
- ZOOM Function: When the Manhattan user interface is on-screen, pressing this button adjusts the zoom level of the interface.
How do I stop my filters resetting after standby?
By default, any filters you set (like favourite channels in the TV Guide) will reset when your short-model goes into standby. To keep your filters active:
- Go to Home → Settings → Menu Options
- Select Reset Filters Automatically
- Change the setting to Never
Now, your filters will stay active even after standby, until you clear them manually.
Keep in mind, each of the following menus has its own filter settings:
- TV Guide
- Home Screen On Now
- Recordings
- Featured
- Search Results
To manually clear a filter in any menu:
- Press to show filter options
- Press to clear the filter
How do I set up and use Favourite Channels?
The Favourites feature helps you quickly access your most-watched channels. Here’s how to set up and use it:
Adding Channels to Favourites #
There are two ways to mark channels as favourites:
While Using the Guide:
- Press to add or remove the current channel to favourites
- A red heart icon will appear next to favourite channels
Using the Channel Editor:
- Go to Home → Settings → Channels → Edit Channels
- Use to mark channels as favourites
- Press EXIT and then choose Save Changes
Viewing Only Favourite Channels #
You can use the filter to show just your favourite channels when you’re in the TV Guide or browsing the Home Screen On Now carousel:
- Press to open Filter options
- Select Favourites
- Press BACK to apply
Quick Access While Watching TV #
When watching TV:
- Press Info
- Press to cycle through your favourites
Keeping Your Favourites Filter Active After Standby #
By default, filters reset when your short-model goes into standby. To prevent this:
- Go to Home → Settings → Menu Options
- Select Reset Filters Automatically
- Change to Never
Can I skip adverts on recorded programmes?
Yes! There are two easy ways to skip through adverts in your recordings:
Fast Forward
- Press to fast forward through content
- Each press increases the speed up to 64x
- Press to resume normal playback
Quick Skip
- Press to jump forward 30 seconds
- Press multiple times to skip longer advert breaks
- If you go too far, press to jump back 10 seconds
You can customise both the forward and backward skip durations by navigating to Home → Settings → Playback.
Want to learn more about playback controls? See Playback.
What is Freeview Play Channel Management and why do BBC HD channels appear twice in my channel list?
You may have noticed that BBC HD channels, such as BBC One HD, appear twice in your channel list. This is because your short-model is required to use a new feature called Freeview Play Channel Management for tuning when connected to the internet.
Here’s what Freeview Play Channel Management does:
Manages channel numbers: Freeview Play allocates channel numbers based on your location, available transmitters, and any regional conflicts. It handles this automatically through the Freeview Play server.
HD channel swapping: For example, you will see BBC One HD on both channel 1 and 101, with BBC One SD moving to channel 611. This change is part of Freeview’s plan to make HD channels more prominent. BBC channels are the first to do this and other broadcasters may follow.
Internet channels: Without an aerial, you can still access five internet-based BBC channels: BBC Three (301), BBC Scotland (302), BBC ALBA (303), BBC NEWS (501) and BBC Parliament (502). More channels may follow in the future.
How do I remove the duplicates? #
Option 1: Hide or delete duplicates
- Go to Home → Settings → Channels → Edit Channels
- Choose to hide or delete the duplicate channels
Option 2: Turn off Freeview Play Channel Management
This will restore the traditional Freeview channel numbers, with SD channels starting at 1 and HD channels at 101. It will also remove the five internet channels. However, since these channels are already available via your aerial, this shouldn’t be an issue for most users
To disable Channel Management:
- Go to Home → Settings → Channels → Freeview Play Channel Management
- Press OK to perform a full retune.
Important: Retuning will reset favourites, hidden channels, scheduled recordings, reminders, and regional settings. You can also choose to restore any deleted channels.
We know seeing only BBC HD channels twice can be confusing, and we’d likely disable this feature by default if Freeview Play Channel Management wasn’t required!
How is padding handled with consecutive recordings?
Automatic Padding (Default) #
The short-model uses broadcaster signals to determine when programmes actually start and end. This means recordings should start and end accurately when broadcaster signalling is correct.
For consecutive recordings on the same channel, the short-model will seamlessly transition from one recording to the next, ensuring you don’t miss anything between programmes.
When recording across different channels, the short-model’s dual tuners allow it to record two channels simultaneously. However, when both tuners are in use and a new recording needs to start on another channel, the short-model will stop recording the first programme at its scheduled end time and start the new recording at its scheduled start time. This means if the first programme runs late or the new programme starts early, you might miss some content.
Manual Padding #
When you set manual padding, the short-model manages consecutive recordings to maximise coverage while working within tuner limitations.
Consecutive Recordings on the Same Channel
To ensure the most important content is captured, the short-model adjusts padding between consecutive recordings:
- The first recording in a sequence gets start padding only
- Any middle recordings get no padding
- The last recording gets end padding only
If programmes don’t start or end exactly on time, you may find the beginning or end of a programme included in the adjacent recording.
Consecutive Recordings on Different Channels
The short-model’s two tuners allow it to record two channels simultaneously, but this creates some constraints when handling padding:
- When both tuners are in use and new recordings need to start, the short-model may need to omit end padding from earlier recordings and start padding from new recordings
- For example, if two recordings are ending and two new recordings are scheduled to start on different channels, padding will be omitted from all recordings to ensure the core programme content is captured
How can I restart a programme?
Currently, only BBC channels support the ability to restart live programmes on the short-model. There are a few ways to do this:
Press the Green Button:
- While watching a BBC channel, press the Green button on your remote.
- This will restart the current programme in BBC iPlayer.
Use the Red Button:
- Press the Red button on your remote while on a BBC channel.
- This opens the BBC Red Button Plus service, where you can select the option to restart the programme.
Through the TV Guide:
- Open the TV Guide and navigate to the current BBC programme.
- If the programme supports restart, a Restart icon will be displayed.
- Press OK on the programme, and you’ll be given the choice to restart it.
Note: Restarting a programme requires an active internet connection, as it streams the content from BBC iPlayer.
Can I transfer recordings from the T2-R or T3-R to ?
No, it’s not possible to transfer recordings from the T2‑R or T3‑R to the short-model. This is due to restrictions from Freeview that protect HD recordings using special encryption, which our devices don’t implement. These include:
- DTCP-IP for secure streaming or transferring of HD recordings.
- AACS for locking HD recordings when copied, allowing only one copy to be made.
Even if recordings were transferred, the receiving device would need to support DTCP-IP and AACS to play them.
While transferring SD recordings is allowed, for consistency, our devices currently treat all recordings the same.
Using both recorders together? #
If you plan to keep both your T2‑R/T3‑R and short-model, you can prevent remote control interference by pairing your short-model with its remote. See: Pair your short-model and remote to prevent interference with other Manhattan devices.
Can I reorder channels on the ?
No, it’s not possible to change the channel order on the short-model. Freeview Play requires manufacturers to keep the official channel numbering.
However, we plan to add a feature that will allow you to reorder channels in your Favourites list. This means you’ll be able to customise the channel order when filtering by Favourites in the TV Guide and Home Screen.
You may have noticed that BBC One HD appears at both channel 1 and 101, with BBC One SD moved to 611. This is part of Freeview Play Channel Management, which automatically manages channels when your short-model is connected to the internet.
If you prefer the traditional Freeview channel numbers, with SD channels starting at 1 and HD channels at 101, please see: Why do BBC HD channels appear twice in my list with Freeview Play Channel Management??.
Can I connect the to an older TV without HDMI?
No, the short-model is designed for use with TVs that have HDMI inputs and only features an HDMI output for audio and video.
While devices are available that can convert HDMI inputs to analogue outputs (compatible with SCART or RCA connections), these may not deliver the best results. If used with the short-model, menus are likely to appear in poor quality and may be difficult to read.
Some of our older products, such as the Manhattan T1, T2‑R, and SX, were compatible with our optional Analogue AV kit. These models featured a mini-jack analogue output, which the short-model does not have. As a result, the short-model is not compatible with the Analogue AV kit.
Does the need an internet connection?
Can I play media files from a USB drive on the ?
How do I add programmes to my Watchlist?
You can add on-demand programmes to your Watchlist from various menus on the short-model. Here’s how:
Finding On-Demand Content #
You can find on-demand programmes in several places:
- Featured: Browse curated carousels of on-demand content like Films and Drama
- TV Guide: Look for programmes marked with (especially when browsing backwards in time)
- Search: Find on-demand content in dedicated results carousels
- More Info: Access additional episodes and related content
When you highlight an on-demand programme, you’ll see:
- The on-demand icon () among other attributes like subtitles in the information area
- A hint showing you can press to play or to add or remove the programme from your Watchlist.
- A large icon next to the programme title if it’s already in your Watchlist
Adding to Your Watchlist #
Simply press when an on-demand programme is highlighted. In the TV Guide, the in the programme cell will change to (a variation with a bookmark).
To remove it, just press again.
Managing Series #
While you can’t currently add entire series to your Watchlist (due to Freeview Play platform limitations), there are ways to keep track of series you’re watching:
- Use the feature to find all available episodes — your searches are saved for easy access
- Press on any episode in your Watchlist to see other available episodes in the More Info menu
Adding Content from Apps #
Unfortunately, you cannot add programmes to your Watchlist from within apps like BBC iPlayer or ITVX, as these apps manage their own watchlists separately and don’t provide any way for the short-model to access them.
Can I play my own videos or media files on the ?
No, the short-model does not support playing videos from USB devices or streaming media over your network. This includes:
- Video files stored on USB drives
- Recordings from other Freeview recorders
- Media streaming via DLNA or other network protocols
While we understand this would be a useful feature, supporting media playback would require extensive development to handle the many different video and audio formats that exist. For now, the short-model focuses on providing excellent Freeview recording and playback capabilities.
If you need to play media files, we recommend using a dedicated media player or smart TV apps for this purpose.
Why is an internet connection needed to search the TV Guide?
Your short-model needs an internet connection to search the TV Guide because the search relies on data from the Freeview Play server. This allows your device to access:
- More detailed programme information
- Images of the programmes
- Episode and series numbers
This makes for a much richer and more helpful search experience than just using the broadcast signal alone.
Can I record content from apps like iPlayer and streaming IP channels?
No, you cannot record any content delivered over the internet on the short-model. This includes programmes from apps like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and streaming IP channels. Recording of internet-delivered content is prohibited by Freeview Play and the apps themselves. The short-model is designed to record live TV broadcasts received through your aerial.
What is the difference between manual and automatic padding when making recordings?
The short-model offers two ways to ensure you don’t miss the beginning or end of your recordings: Automatic Padding (the default option) and Manual Padding.
Automatic Padding (Default) #
Automatic padding uses broadcaster signals to determine exactly when programmes start and end. The short-model begins monitoring 30 minutes before the scheduled start time and starts recording when it detects the broadcaster’s signal. It will also wait for the broadcaster’s end signal, continuing to record for up to 2 hours after the scheduled end time if necessary.
This method works well when broadcaster signals are accurate, as it automatically adjusts for programmes that start early or run late. However, if broadcasters don’t send correct signals, you might miss the start or end of a programme.
Manual Padding #
With manual padding, you choose how much extra time to add before and after each recording, from 2 to 10 minutes. While this gives you consistent control and doesn’t rely on broadcaster signals, it may record unnecessary content or still miss parts of programmes that start very early or run very late (such as live events).
When recording consecutive programmes, manual padding is adjusted to avoid overlap. This means some padding may be omitted to ensure the core content of each programme is captured.
How to Adjust Padding Settings #
To change your padding settings:
- Go to Home → Settings → Recordings → Padding Options → Padding Type
- Select either Automatic or Manual
If using Manual Padding, you can set both start and end padding times (2−10 minutes) in the same menu.
You can also choose how recordings start playback. Under Playback Start, select either:
- Recorded Start: Begins from the very start of the recording
- Signalled: Begins where the broadcaster indicated the programme starts (default)
Tip: When playing back a recording with manual padding, the playback bar shows markers where the broadcaster signalled the programme’s start and end, making it easy to skip to the actual content.
How does auto-deletion work on the , and how can I keep important recordings?
The short-model automatically manages storage space by deleting older recordings when needed. Here’s how it works:
Auto-Deletion Process #
When space is needed for new recordings, the short-model will:
- First delete content from the Recently Deleted section
- Then delete the oldest recordings that aren’t marked as ‘Keep’
- Never delete recordings marked as ‘Keep’
Recently Deleted Recordings #
- Deleted recordings move to the Recently Deleted section
- They stay there for 30 days unless space is needed sooner
- You can recover these recordings at any time before they’re permanently deleted
Keeping Important Recordings #
To prevent recordings from being automatically deleted:
- Go to Home → Recordings
- Highlight the recording you want to keep
- Press
- Select Keep
Note: You can keep recordings up to 80% of your total storage capacity. You’ll see a warning if you try to exceed this limit.
Important Tips #
- The short-model won’t warn you before auto-deleting recordings that aren’t marked as ‘Keep’
- Kept recordings show a ‘Keep’ icon in the Recordings menu
- Regularly check your recordings and mark any as ‘Keep’ that you want to save long-term
- You can remove ‘Keep’ status by pressing again and selecting Don’t Keep
To check available storage space, press RECS on your remote — the free space percentage is shown at the top of the screen.
How do I cancel a recording or series recording?
You can cancel recordings from any menu where they appear:
- Recordings menu (press RECS)
- TV Guide (press GUIDE)
- Home Screen On Now carousel
- More Info menu (press )
- Search results
- Channel Browser and while watching live TV
From the Recordings menu #
- Press RECS and select the Scheduled tab
- For series recordings with multiple episodes:
- Highlight the series folder and press OK
- Select any episode and press OK
- Choose Cancel Series to stop all future episodes, or Skip Episode for just that episode
- For series with only one episode or one-off recordings:
- Highlight the recording and press OK
- Select Cancel Recording for a one-off programme
- Select Cancel Series to stop all future episodes
From other menus or while watching live TV #
- Find the programme marked for recording
- Press
- Choose from:
- Cancel Recording for a single programme
- Cancel Series to stop all future episodes
- Skip Episode to cancel just one episode of a series
For recordings in progress #
When a recording is currently in progress, you’ll see:
- Stop Recording to end the current recording
- Stop Recording Series to end the recording and cancel the series (if part of a series)
T4•R Troubleshooting old
No picture or sound from the
Possible Causes & Solutions
The HDMI cable may be disconnected.
Check the HDMI connections between the short-model and your TV.
The input the T4-R is connected to may not be selected on your TV.
Select the correct HDMI input (see your TV’s manual for guidance).
Your TV may not correctly communicate the resolutions it is capable of and an incompatible resolution may be selected.
Turn the T4‑R on and wait 30 seconds. Press HOME. Press and hold ‘0’ for 5 seconds. The T4‑R will try each resolution for 15 seconds: 1080p then 1080i then 720p. Select Confirm when you see a picture.
The picture and sound keep breaking up or there is no signal
Possible Causes & Solutions
Weak signal from your aerial.
Check your signal by pressing HOME and selecting Information. If it’s weak or not present, get a professional to check your installation – your aerial may provide a better signal if it is realigned or moved somewhere else. We don’t recommend using an indoor aerial. As a last resort, try using a signal amplifier or booster to improve reception.
Some TV aerials installed with a signal amplifier need a power supply from the TV box.
Activate the T4‑R’s +5V DC supply by going to: Settings > System > 5V Antenna Power.
No signal after moving home
Possible Causes & Solutions
The new home is in a different transmission area.
Select: Settings > Channels > Auto Retune > Retune & Clear Preferences
The switches off after 3 hours
Possible Causes & Solutions
By default the short-model is set to go to standby after 3 hours without interaction.
Turn Auto Standby off or select a different duration in: Settings > System > Standby Options.
You've forgotten your PIN
Possible Causes & Solutions
You've forgotten it or someone has changed it.
Your PIN can be reset with the master PIN. Please contact us.
Loop Out doesn't work in Standby
Possible Causes & Solutions
The Loop Out in Standby setting is not turned on.
Turn it on in: Settings > System > Standby Options.
Video in apps buffers, stutters or stops altogether
Possible Causes & Solutions
Your broadband is not fast enough. A minimum of 3Mbps is recommended for internet video. Faster broadband may still be affected by usage from other devices, reducing the speed available for the T4-R.
Check your broadband speed with your internet provider and try running an online speed test on a computer or mobile device. If the speed you are getting is less than expected there may be other devices on your network using bandwidth. Try disconnecting them.
Your T4-R is using your Wi-Fi at the same time as too many other devices.
Disconnect other devices from your Wi-Fi or connect your T4‑R to your internet router with an Ethernet cable.
The Wi-Fi signal from your internet router is poor. You can check the Wi-Fi signal by going to: Settings > Internet.
Try adjusting the location of your Wi-Fi router and/or its antenna(s). Also try moving the T4‑R itself. Alternatively, connect your T4‑R to your internet router with an Ethernet cable.
The does not respond to the remote
Possible Causes & Solutions
The front of the short-model is obstructed.
Ensure the front of the short-model is not obstructed.
Batteries are weak.
Replace batteries in the short-model remote.
They have been programmed to control the volume of another device.
Reset your short-model remote by following the instructions in Resetting Your Remote on page 17.
Troubleshooting
Why do series recordings show “Searching…” in the Schedule, and sometimes disappear?
If you see series recordings with “Searching…” in your Freeview Schedule that later disappear, this is due to how Series IDs are managed.
Each series recording uses a unique Series ID assigned by broadcasters. If a Series ID isn’t used for any broadcasts within 12 weeks, it can be reused for a different programme. To avoid recording the wrong show, your recorder automatically removes series recordings linked to IDs that have been inactive for 12 weeks.
This is why “Searching…” entries vanish – they’ve passed the 12-week limit and are cleared to prevent mistakes.
If you want to record the series again, set up a new series recording when it returns to the schedule.
Can I watch a third channel while recording two others?
Yes, you can watch a third channel while recording two others, but it depends on which channels you’re recording. This is because digital TV channels are broadcast in groups called multiplexes.
A multiplex is a group of digital channels broadcast together on the same frequency. In the old analogue TV days, each frequency could only carry one channel. With digital TV, that same frequency can carry multiple channels — that’s why we have so many more channels available today.
Here’s how it works with the short-model’s two tuners:
- If both recordings are from the same multiplex, you can watch any other channel
- If the recordings are from different multiplexes, you can only watch channels from those same two multiplexes
For example:
- Recording BBC One HD and ITV1 HD (both on BBC B multiplex)? You can watch any other channel
- Recording BBC One HD (BBC B multiplex) and Film4 (D3&4 multiplex)? You can only watch other channels from those two multiplexes
Making it easier to choose channels #
To help identify which channels you can watch while recording:
- Go to Home → Settings → Menu Preferences → Flag Unavailable Channels
- Turn this setting on
- Channels you can’t currently watch will be clearly marked
Other viewing options #
While recording two channels, you can always:
- Watch a previously recorded programme
- Use streaming apps like BBC iPlayer
- Watch live channels within apps that offer them
Note: The short-model will warn you if selecting a channel would require stopping a recording.
For a list of which channels belong to each multiplex, visit the Freeview channel listings page and look for the “Mux” column.
Why isn't my Loop Out working when the is in standby?
If your aerial signal isn’t passing through to another device when your short-model is in standby, it’s likely because the Loop Out in Standby setting is turned off. This setting is disabled by default to conserve energy and meet UK/EU power consumption requirements.
How to enable Loop Out in Standby #
- Press HOME on your remote
- Go to Settings → System → Standby Options
- Select Loop Out in Standby
- Press OK to turn it on
Once enabled, your aerial signal will continue to pass through to connected devices (like your TV) even when the short-model is in standby mode.
Why can't I set a series recording for some programmes on my ?
The ability to set a series recording on your short-model depends on the broadcaster marking the programme as part of a series. If the broadcaster doesn’t identify the programme as a series, the option to record the series won’t be available. This means you’ll need to set individual recordings for each episode manually.
How to identify if a programme is part of a series:
- Series Icon: Look for the series icon next to the programme in the TV Guide.
- Recording Options: When you press the Record button on a programme, the short-model will explicitly ask if you want to record the series if it’s marked as part of a series.
If you don’t see the option to record the series or the series icon is absent, it’s because the broadcaster hasn’t scheduled it as a series.
Why isn't space freed up when I clear Recently Deleted recordings?
The way storage space is displayed on your short-model differs depending on where you look:
In the Recordings Menu (press RECS):
- The free space percentage shown at the top already includes Recently Deleted recordings
- Clearing the Recently Deleted section won’t change this percentage
- This gives you an accurate view of your total available recording space
In Hard Drive Information (Home → Information → Hard Drive):
- The free space shown in GB does not include Recently Deleted recordings
- You’ll see the space increase after clearing Recently Deleted recordings
- This shows you the current technical state of the hard drive
The Recently Deleted section acts like a recycle bin, giving you a chance to recover recordings before they’re permanently removed. The space is already counted as available because these recordings will be automatically deleted when space is needed for new recordings.
Why won't my remote learn from my LG Magic Remote?
The short-model remote can only learn infrared (IR) signals during the teaching process. While LG Magic Remotes use both Bluetooth and IR technology, they must be specifically set to IR mode for teaching to work.
Setting up your LG Magic Remote for teaching #
- Put your LG TV into standby mode
- On the LG Magic Remote:
- Press and hold both BACK and HOME buttons
- Wait until the power button LED turns solid red briefly
- The remote is now in IR-only mode
Once your LG Magic Remote is in IR mode, you can proceed with the standard remote teaching process: How to control your TV with the short-model remote.
Returning your LG Magic Remote to Bluetooth mode #
Most basic functions (like volume, power, and channel controls) will continue to work in IR mode, but advanced features like voice control and pointer will be unavailable. To put the LG Magic Remote back in bluetooth mode:
- Turn your TV back on
- Press OK on the Magic Remote to reconnect Bluetooth
Why has my only found 5 channels?
If your short-model has only found five channels during setup or retune, it’s likely receiving no aerial signal and is only picking up the BBC’s internet-based channels:
- 301 BBC Three
- 302 BBC Scotland
- 303 BBC ALBA
- 501 BBC News
- 502 BBC Parliament
These channels stream over the internet and don’t require an aerial connection.
Troubleshooting Steps #
Check Aerial Connection
- Make sure your aerial cable is firmly connected to the Aerial In socket on your short-model
- Try removing and reconnecting the cable
- Check the cable isn’t damaged
Test Your Aerial Signal
- Connect the aerial directly to your TV
- Perform a channel scan on your TV
- If your TV also can’t find channels, you likely have an aerial or signal reception issue
- If your TV can find channels but your short-model can’t, please contact our support team
Review Your Aerial Setup
- For reliable Freeview reception, you need a suitable rooftop or loft aerial
- Indoor aerials often don’t provide adequate signal strength
- If using signal amplifiers or splitters, try bypassing them temporarily
Next Steps #
- Visit Freeview’s Coverage Checker to confirm signal availability in your area
- Need a reliable aerial installer? Find one through the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI)
- Still having issues? Contact our support team for further assistance
Why is 103 ITV1 HD showing the wrong regional content?
If you’re seeing incorrect regional news or weather on 103 ITV1 HD, it’s because ITV doesn’t provide HD broadcasts for all regional variations. Some regions share the same ITV1 HD feed, which may not include your specific local content.
To watch local content, switch to the standard definition ITV1 channel (usually Channel 3). The SD channel provides the correct regional programming, including local news and weather.
Note:
- This situation is due to ITV’s broadcast arrangements and affects all devices, not just the short-model.
- There’s no issue with your device or signal reception.
Why don't some apps like ITVX offer live TV channels on the ?
Currently, only BBC iPlayer offers live TV channels within its app on the short-model. The availability of live TV streaming within apps depends on both the app providers and Freeview Play platform requirements.
For now, you can watch all main channels (including ITV, Channel 4 and others) through normal Freeview broadcast when connected to an aerial. We expect more apps to add live TV streaming features during 2025, which will be delivered to your short-model through software updates as they become available.
Why is there no sound from my ?
If you’ve lost sound on standard definition (SD) channels, the most common cause is that your short-model’s internal volume has been turned down completely. This can happen particularly if your remote’s volume buttons have been programmed to control your TV or soundbar instead.
Quick Fix — Reset Volume #
- Press Home on your remote
- To reset the short-model’s internal volume to maximum, enter this sequence: 9 → 5 → 1 → RED
Note: This sequence only works from software version 2.00. If your T4/T4•R has an earlier software version, please update. You can check the software version by going to: Home → Information.
Understanding the short-model’s Audio System #
- The short-model has its own internal volume that affects all audio except Dolby from HD channels
- By default, the short-model remote’s volume buttons control this internal volume
- When Dolby is enabled (in Picture & Sound Settings) and your TV supports Dolby, HD channel audio bypasses the internal volume control
Best Practice for Volume Control #
For optimal sound quality, we recommend:
- Set the short-model’s internal volume to maximum (using the reset sequence above)
- Use your TV, soundbar, or AV receiver to control the final output volume
- If you prefer using the short-model remote for volume control, ensure it’s programmed to control your main audio device.
Why are my recordings starting late or ending early on the ?
There are several common reasons why you might miss the beginning or end of your recorded programmes. Here’s what might be happening and how to fix it:
Broadcaster Signalling Issues #
When using Automatic Padding (the default setting), the short-model relies on signals from broadcasters to know exactly when to start and stop recording. Sometimes these signals can be incorrect or missing, causing recordings to start late or end early.
To resolve this, try switching to Manual Padding, which adds a fixed amount of time before and after each recording. See our guide on the difference between manual and automatic padding for how to change this setting.
Recording Multiple Programmes #
The short-model has two tuners, meaning it can record two channels at once. When you have multiple recordings scheduled close together on different channels, the short-model might need to stop one recording to start another. This can mean missing the end of one programme or the start of another.
Back-to-Back Recordings #
When recording consecutive programmes on the same channel, the short-model has to manage padding carefully to avoid overlap. This might mean some padding is omitted between programmes. Learn more about how this works in our guide to handling consecutive recordings.
Still Having Problems? #
If you’ve tried these solutions and are still missing the start or end of your recordings, please contact us and we’ll help you investigate further.
Why is my Bose soundbar responding to my remote?
If your Bose TV Speaker soundbar (model 431974) is unexpectedly responding to your short-model remote – for example, changing volume when you press channel buttons – this is a known issue with that specific Bose model.
How to Fix This #
Bose has released a firmware update that resolves this problem. To fix it:
- Visit the Bose TV Speaker Firmware Update page
- Download and install the latest firmware following Bose’s instructions
- After updating, your soundbar should no longer respond incorrectly to the short-model remote
Still Having Issues? #
If the problem continues after updating your soundbar’s firmware:
- Check that the update was successfully installed
- Contact Bose Support for help with your soundbar
- Or contact our Customer Service team for additional assistance
Note: This issue specifically affects the Bose TV Speaker (model 431974) and may not apply to other Bose soundbar models.
Why does my switch off after 3 hours?
By default, your short-model is set to automatically go into standby after 3 hours without any interaction. This is an energy-saving feature.
To change or disable this setting:
- Go to Home → Settings → System → Standby Options
- Select Auto Standby
- Choose your preferred duration or turn it off completely
T4 sales FAQs
How does the T4 compare to the earlier T1 and T3 models?
The T4 builds on the strengths of the T3 and T1, with more powerful hardware for improved performance. It introduces many new features while retaining the user-friendly interface that our customers love, adding significantly more flexibility and customisation.
Our blog covers the redesigned TV Guide in Deep Dive #1: Unveiling the T4’s redesigned TV Guide, which makes browsing and catching up easier. Deep Dive #2: Search and discover great telly explains how you can quickly find or discover new shows. Our next deep dive will cover the recording and playback features.
Does the T4 need an aerial?
The T4 needs a rooftop aerial to pick up most live TV and radio channels. We don’t recommend using an indoor aerial. You can stream some channels over the internet, but they cannot be recorded.
If you don’t have an aerial but do have a satellite dish, check out our Manhattan SX Freesat HD Box. It offers access to hundreds of TV and radio channels, making it an excellent, budget-friendly alternative for former Sky subscribers.
Does the T4 need an internet connection?
The T4 works perfectly as a Freeview TV box without an internet connection, and you can use the TV Guide to browse shows for the next seven days. However, to access all features, including catch-up and on-demand services, you need to connect it to the internet. You can easily set it up using Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable for a wired connection. Being online also ensures your T4 receives the latest software updates automatically. If you choose not to connect to the internet, you can still download updates from our website and install them using a USB stick.
Can the T4 pause live TV?
Yes, the T4 allows you to pause live TV for up to 90 minutes. However, if you want to rewind live TV without pausing it first, you’ll need the T4•R, which continuously records the channel you’re watching to its hard drive.
How many channels can the T4 receive?
With Freeview, you can get over 100 channels, all with no subscription. The exact number of channels you’ll get depends on the coverage at your address. Use the Freeview Channel Checker to find out the ones available to you.
Does the T4 support Freely?
The T4 is a Freeview device – it uses your aerial for live TV, not broadband. If you’re looking for Freely, our Manhattan Aero is designed specifically for that.
That said, here’s why the T4 might still be the better choice for you:
- Longer pause. The T4 lets you pause live TV for up to 90 minutes on any channel. Freely only offers 15-minute pause.
- No broadband dependency. Your aerial handles the live signal, so even if your internet goes down, your TV keeps working.
- Our fourth-generation TV Guide. Three views (Grid, Channel, Genre), powerful filters, and universal search of both broadcast and on-demand programmes – designed to make finding what you want genuinely easy.
If you want Freely’s advantages – more HD channels and no aerial needed – the Aero is our product for that. And if you want recording and 2‑hour pause/rewind, consider the T4•R.
What apps are available on the T4?
The T4 is a subscription-free experience that features YouTube, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, 4 (Channel 4), My5, UKTV Play, GREAT! Player, Watch Free UK, PBS America, POP Player, BBC Sounds, STV Player, S4C / Clic, and Explore Freeview Play.
We don’t currently include or have plans to include premium subscription apps like Netflix and Prime.
What programmes can the T4 search for?
The T4 can search for any live TV programme scheduled within the next seven days. It also searches for any on-demand and catch-up programme available from the apps.
Can I control my TV with the T4 remote?
Yes, the T4 remote can adjust your TV’s volume, turn it on or off, and change its input by learning from your TV’s remote.
Will the T4 stay up-to-date?
Yes, if it’s connected to the internet through Ethernet or Wi-Fi, the T4 will automatically look for updates every night and install them if it finds any. If your T4 isn’t online, you can update it by downloading the update files onto a USB stick and plugging that into the T4.
If you’d rather updates didn’t happen on their own, you can turn off Automatic Updates. To do this and to manually check for updates, go to: Settings > System > Software Updates.
Is the T4 energy efficient?
The T4 is designed to save energy. It typically uses less than 6W when on, only 0.9W when asleep with Wi-Fi, and just 0.3W with Ethernet.
It also has a feature called Auto Standby. If you don’t press any buttons on the remote for 3 hours, it will automatically go into standby mode. You can adjust or turn off this feature by going to: Settings > System > Standby Options.
T4•R sales FAQs
How does the T4•R compare to the earlier T2•R and T3•R models?
The T4•R builds on the strengths of the T3•R and T2•R, with more powerful hardware for improved performance. It introduces many new features while retaining the user-friendly interface that our customers love, adding significantly more flexibility and customisation.
Our blog covers the redesigned TV Guide in Deep Dive #1: Unveiling the T4’s redesigned TV Guide, which makes browsing and catching up easier. Deep Dive #2: Search and discover great telly explains how you can quickly find or discover new shows. Our next deep dive will cover the recording and playback features.
In response to user feedback, we’ve added a front-panel LED that lights up white during active recording. The T4•R also addresses demand for more storage, offering 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB options, compared to the T3•R’s 1TB limit.
Does the T4•R need an aerial?
The T4•R needs a rooftop aerial to pick up most live TV and radio channels. We don’t recommend using an indoor aerial. You can stream some channels over the internet, but they cannot be recorded.
If you don’t have an aerial but do have a satellite dish, check out our Manhattan SX Freesat HD Box. It offers access to hundreds of TV and radio channels, making it an excellent, budget-friendly alternative for former Sky subscribers.
Does the T4•R need an internet connection?
The T4•R works perfectly as a Freeview TV recorder without an internet connection, and you can use the TV Guide to browse shows for the next seven days. However, to access all features, including catch-up and on-demand services, you need to connect it to the internet. You can easily set it up using Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable for a wired connection. Being online also ensures your T4‑R receives the latest software updates automatically. If you choose not to connect to the internet, you can still download updates from our website and install them using a USB stick.
Can the T4•R pause and rewind live TV?
Yes, the T4•R allows you to instantly pause and rewind up to the last two hours of the channel you’ve been watching.
How many channels does the T4•R receive?
With Freeview, you can get over 100 channels, all with no subscription. The exact number of channels you’ll get depends on the coverage at your address. Use the Freeview Channel Checker to find out the ones available to you.
Does the T4•R support Freely?
The T4•R is a Freeview device — it uses your aerial for live TV, not broadband. If you’re looking for Freely, our Manhattan Aero is designed specifically for that.
That said, here’s why the T4•R might still be the better choice for you:
- Recording. Freely doesn’t support recording at all. The T4•R lets you record programmes to keep forever, skip ads, and watch on your schedule — not just when catch-up allows.
- Pause and rewind. The T4•R’s 2‑hour rolling buffer means you can pause or rewind live TV on any channel. Freely only offers 15-minute pause.
- No broadband dependency. Your aerial handles the live signal, so even if your internet goes down, your TV keeps working.
- Our fourth-generation TV Guide. Three views (Grid, Channel, Genre), powerful filters, and universal search of both broadcast and on-demand programmes – designed to make finding what you want genuinely easy.
If you want Freely’s advantages – more HD channels and no aerial needed – the Aero is our product for that. But if recording and full control over live TV matter to you, the T4•R remains the best choice.
What apps are available on the T4•R?
The T4•R is a subscription-free experience that features YouTube, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, 4 (Channel 4), My5, UKTV Play, GREAT! Player, Watch Free UK, PBS America, POP Player, BBC Sounds, STV Player, S4C / Clic, and Explore Freeview Play.
We don’t currently include or have plans to include premium subscription apps like Netflix and Prime.
What programmes can the T4•R search for?
The T4•R can search for any live TV programme scheduled within the next seven days. It also searches for any on-demand and catch-up programme available from the apps.
Can I watch a third channel when two channels are recording?
When recording on two channels, you can still watch, pause, or rewind a third channel, depending on the channels being recorded. Here’s how it works:
- If the two recording channels are on the same multiplex, you can watch any other channel.
- If the channels are on two different multiplexes, you can only watch channels available on either of these two multiplexes.
A multiplex is a group of channels broadcast together, such as all HD channels. The T4•R allows you to watch a third channel when possible and notifies you if you need to stop recording to do so. You can also set the T4•R to highlight channels you can’t watch with an icon in the TV Guide and Channel Browser by going to: Settings > Menu Preferences > Flag Unavailable Channels.
Can I control my TV with the T4•R remote?
Yes, the T4•R remote can adjust your TV’s volume, turn it on or off, and change its input by learning from your TV’s remote.
Will the T4•R stay up-to-date?
Yes, if it’s connected to the internet through Ethernet or Wi-Fi, the T4•R will automatically look for updates every night and install them if it finds any. If your T4•R isn’t online, you can update it by downloading the update files onto a USB stick and plugging that into the T4•R.
If you’d rather updates didn’t happen on their own, you can turn off Automatic Updates. To do this and to manually check for updates, go to: Settings > System > Software Updates.
Is the T4•R energy efficient?
The T4•R is designed to save energy. It uses less than 10W when on, only 0.9W when asleep with Wi-Fi, and just 0.3W with Ethernet. It doesn’t have a fan, minimising power use and keeping it whisper quiet.
It also has a feature called Auto Standby. If you don’t press any buttons on the remote for 3 hours, it will automatically go into standby mode. You can adjust or turn off this feature by going to: Settings > System > Standby Options.