YouTube has finally arrived on Manhattan’s T4-R and T4 Freeview boxes as part of the version 2.0 software update rolling out from today (Wednesday).
The app’s addition comes after being announced in Manhattan’s December update, addressing one of the most frequently requested features for these Freeview Play devices.
Beyond bringing YouTube to the Home Screen, the update introduces casting functionality that lets users send videos directly from their phones and tablets to their TV via the box.
The free version 2.0 update also includes several improvements and bug fixes, particularly for T4-R recording features.
Manhattan T4 and T4-R: A Quick Refresher
Launched in June 2024, the Manhattan T4 and T4-R represent the latest generation of Freeview boxes from the British manufacturer, taking over from their popular T3 series.
At its core, the Manhattan T4 is a straightforward yet capable Freeview Play box. It gives you access to more than 100 live TV channels through your aerial, alongside the full suite of UK catch-up services like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4.
As noted in my review, the box offers snappy performance and an excellent programme guide, though some catch-up apps could be faster.
Step up to the T4-R, and you get everything the T4 offers, plus comprehensive recording capabilities. Available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB versions, it can store up to 1,200 hours of your favourite programmes and films, depending on the model.
The T4-R has particularly impressed me with its intuitive interface, clever recording features, and innovative guide filtering options – though one downside is that it can’t replace a full-featured streaming device.
While that’s still the case – the addition of a YouTube app certainly helps.
New Features and Improvements
YouTube Integration
The headline feature of version 2.0 is undoubtedly YouTube, which now appears prominently in the Top Apps row of the Home Screen.
The implementation includes full casting capabilities: users can now send videos directly from the YouTube app on their phones or tablets to their T4 or T4-R.
The process is seamless – simply tap the TV icon in your mobile YouTube app and select your Manhattan box. The box will automatically turn on and begin playing your selected content.
You can then control playback from either your mobile device or the Manhattan remote.
Interface and System Improvements
Several quality-of-life improvements have been added to both models:
A new shortcut sequence has been implemented to quickly reset volume to maximum: Home → 9 → 5 → 1 → RED.
This is particularly useful for users who have taught their remote to control TV volume but may have skipped the step of maximising T4/T4-R volume first.
Programmes that lack both genre information and broadcaster-provided images will now display a new duotone placeholder image, improving the visual consistency of the interface.
T4-R Specific Improvements
For T4-R users, the recording interface has been enhanced with more detailed status information.
The recording status in the information panel now displays the channel number when recording an alternative broadcast (for example, “Recording now on 1. BBC One HD”), providing clearer information about ongoing recordings.
Recording and Playback Fixes (T4-R only)
Recording Clash Detection: Fixed an issue where recording clash prompts could incorrectly appear when scheduling non-clashing recordings with manual padding enabled.
Subtitle Display: Resolved a problem where subtitles would fail to display in live pause mode.
+1 Channel Recording: Corrected an issue where scheduling a programme to record on a +1 channel while it was airing live on the main channel would incorrectly record on the main channel instead.
Series Link Management: Fixed a bug where deleting recorded series episodes with an active series link would cause repeat broadcasts of those episodes to incorrectly show as clashing recordings instead of skipped episodes.
Interface Stability: Resolved an interface corruption issue that occurred when cancelling a series recording from the More Info menu for a scheduled recording.
HD Channel Controls: Fixed a problem where active recordings on HD-swapped BBC channels in the 100-range couldn’t be stopped from the recordings menu.
Technical Improvements (Both Models)
Resolved an HDMI compatibility issue where some TVs would show a distorted picture when their HDMI-EDID only reported 60Hz support instead of the 50Hz modes required for UK TV. The system now forces 50Hz mode to ensure correct resolution handling.
Known Issues
The standby mode responsiveness issue reported in the December update appears to still be present.
Manhattan tells us they’re still working with their partner MTK in Taiwan to address this rare issue where the T4-R may become unresponsive when entering or exiting standby.
A fix is close, but as MTK are now on holiday for Chinese New Year, they didn’t want to delay the YouTube release.
If you encounter this problem, you’ll need to disconnect and reconnect power to restart the box. This is particularly important if you’re leaving your T4-R unused for more than a few days, to avoid any missed recordings.
The Energy Saver standby mode is not affected, so Manhattan recommends using this mode if you’re going away for more than a few days to avoid any missed recordings.
To change this setting, go to: Settings → System → Standby Options → Standby Mode → Energy Saver.
How to Update Your Manhattan T4-R or T4
Users can update their devices in two ways:
Over the internet:
- Ensure your device is connected to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- The box will update automatically overnight while in Standby
- To update immediately, press HOME and select: Settings > System > Software Updates > Check for update now
Using a USB stick:
- Download the full instructions and update files from Manhattan’s website
- Follow the provided instructions carefully to complete the update
To check your current software version, press HOME and select: Information.
- Order Manhattan T4 Freeview Player
- Order Manhattan T4-R 500GB Freeview Recorder
- Order Manhattan T4-R 1TB Freeview Recorder
- Order Manhattan T4-R 2TB Freeview Recorder
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