The DD+ audio is only available on HD channels, and is pretty limited to films, recent dramas, that sort of thing.

Connecting all our boxes to the internet is also the easiest way for them to receive software updates, ensuring you’re always receiving our latest and greatest service. To view a third channel, one would need the pass through cable to view the channels on the TV if it has a tuner.

Connecting the T3-R to the internet is essential for using its FreeviewPlay and streaming features, and that can be done either with an Ethernet cable (connected directly to your router or via a Powerline Adapter) or via WiFi (802b/g/n). I have had theT3-R for a couple of weeks and have been surprised I have not found it a problem even though I previously had the 3 tuner Humax 5000. As far as I'm aware nothing available on freeview is broadcast higher than 1080p anyway and that option in the machine is for watching 4K YouTube videos, so your mother in law will probably not be worried about that anyway?

Some of the channels you can find on Freeview are all the BBC channels (including HD), ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, The Food Network, CBS Action, QVC and many others.

If your device is located far away from your router, you might want to look into a WiFi range booster. However, such devices that also record, pause live TV and stream catch-up TV have consistently lacked any real wow factor. With a quad-core CPU, The T3-R’s speed is comparable to the newest TV streamers out there, and truly feels like a modern device, and not an ancient set-top box like some others do. Reviewing picture quality in a Freeview device is tricky, because that is also dependant on the signal in your area. It turns HD programs such as eastenders etc from the normal video like effect to an almost film like look.

The T3-R will never clip the end of a programme before its scheduled end time, even if another programme starts early and the tuner is needed.It’s particularly enticing if you want to upgrade your viewing experience but don’t feel the need to invest in a new TV (we can imagine it being partnered with long-serving plasma sets, which seemingly refuse to give up the ghost). I just purchased a T3-R to replace my Humax Youview box which has been getting slow and a bit unreliable. However, if you’re desperate to ditch your expensive subscription TV set-top box and/or breathe new life into an ageing TV whose digital tuners are looking increasingly ancient, there are few better options for a glossy Freeview Play recording and catch-up TV experience than the Manhattan T3-R. In relation to the above and having spoken to Manhattan regarding software updates, they told me the following regards how the T3-R actually handles recording clashes etc.

No idea yet what will happen if and when I need to retune, the old one would lose my list of planned re ordings whenever it needed to retune.Some mention that it is quicker, while others say that it will freeze when fast-forwarding a program.