At a glanceExpert’s Rating
Pros
Cheap initial price, no subscription costs
No TV aerial required
Integrated TiVo OS smart platform
Cons
No aerial fallback
Needs 10Mbps broadband minimum
Limited physical connectivity
Our Verdict
The Manhattan Aero Freely streamer is the most cost-effective way yet to bring internet-delivered Freely TV into any room. It’s easy to use, performs well when it comes to sound and vision, and is a great way to free your telly from aerial cabling.
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Compact and capable, the Manhattan Aero streaming box wants to change the way you watch broadcast telly. Built on the Freely platform, from the creators of Freeview and backed by BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, it delivers live and on-demand TV over Wi-Fi, without the need for a traditional aerial or dish.
It’s the smallest standalone Freely streamer we’ve seen so far, and the most affordable, undercutting its Netgem PLEIO rival by some margin. You can check out all the competition in our round-up of the best TV streamers.
Design & Build
Single HDMI connection
Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Compact footprint
Physically, there’s not much to see. The Aero is small and unobtrusive, with a single power LED and two rubber rails on the underside help it stay put – a useful feature, given how easily lightweight streamers can be tugged out of position by their cables.
Within minutes, Aero is up and running
Connectivity is limited. There’s a single HDMI output, plus USB-C, Ethernet for those who prefer to use a wired connection over Wi-Fi, and power port. There’s no TV aerial socket, such as you might find on a Freely-enabled television, which underscores its reliance on internet delivery.
Steve May / Foundry
Included in the box is an HDMI cable, remote control, and power supply. The zapper provides direct access to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube and Freely, alongside a TiVo home button and a ‘Free’ shortcut to the TiVo+ FAST channel selection.
Setup is straightforward. Just plug it into your TV, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the onboarding process. Within minutes, Aero is up and running.
In addition to Wi-Fi connectivity, there’s also Bluetooth pairing for wireless headphones.
Steve May / Foundry
User Interface & Features
Tivo+ FAST Channels
Freely linear TV with catch-up
Comprehensive streaming app library
The Aero runs the latest iteration of the TiVo smart OS. It’s this that serves as the central hub for Freely, plus big name third-party apps.
Freely is basically next-generation Freeview. It provides access to around 60 live channels (and counting), plus a mountain of on-demand programming courtesy of BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, and 5.
Big streamers include Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, Discovery+, and Prime Video, plus YouTube. TiVo+ adds a further layer of FAST channels: this includes hundreds of free-to-watch linear streams, themed either for genre or specific shows. If you’ve ever wanted to watch Mr Bean 24/7, now’s your opportunity.
Steve May / Foundry
The Freely programme guide stretches forward as well as back seven days, so you can easily catch up on missed shows. Plus, there’s a mini-guide that overlays live TV, showing what’s on next without interrupting viewing.
Freely is basically next-generation Freeview
Search covers live and on-demand content. There’s voice control via a microphone built into the remote. You can use it to issue requests such as: “Show me comedy movies” or “Open BBC iPlayer”.
Usability is good. Overall navigation is sprightly. Menus load quickly, and switching between live TV and apps feels seamless.
Picture & Sound Performance
4K HDR10+
Dolby Atmos audio
50/60Hz output only
This bijou box impresses when it comes to AV prowess. Image quality is excellent (though this obviously depends on the TV you’re using), and certainly comparable to other gadgets in the same class.
With Freely channels, HD appears crisp and stable. There’s plenty of fine detail and texture on display, without any obvious artefacting issues. Colours and contrast, as viewed on a reference Philips OLED screen, are suitably punchy.
Stepping up, 4K streams from BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Disney+ and others carry expected detail and clarity, with caveats. The Areo is compatible with HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision, and output is locked to 50/60Hz.
There’s no equivalent to Fire TV’s ‘Match Original Frame Rate’ feature, so films can’t be watched at 24fps. Admittedly, that feature is pretty flaky even on Fire TV devices, so this isn’t much of a loss.
Steve May / Foundry
The box also does a decent job with standard-definition programmes, which are still very much the bread and butter of Freely broadcasts. I’ve seen very well-equipped TVs do a rotten job with SD channels from everyday Freeview, so to see them presented here with just a smidge more bite is welcome – just the ticket if you’re a fan of old Top Gear reruns.
The device’s audio chops also impress
The device’s audio chops also impress. With Dolby Atmos compatibility, you can partner the box with soundbars or AV receivers.
I routed the Aero through a relatively high-end Marantz AV receiver, and it acquitted itself well, passing through the immersive sound format where available, with clean channel separation. There was no sense of the device limiting my system’s sonic potential.
Steve May / Foundry
Price & Subscription Costs
The Manhattan Aero sells for £69.99. It’s available from Amazon and Currys, among other retailers, but it’s out of stock at the time of writing.
There’s no additional charge beyond this, if you’re only looking to watch Freely channels. It’s the same deal as with Freeview. All content from the public service broadcasters and channel partners is free to watch, either live or on demand. You can also view the Tivo+ FAST channels gratis. Of course, if you have or want a subscription to additional streaming services, such as Netflix and Disney+, normal charges apply.
Should you buy the Manhattan Aero Freely streamer?
I reckon so. The Manhattan Aero is a great streaming device with plenty in its favour. Small, affordable, and well specified, it has precious few foibles – although I would have liked support for Dolby Vision, and maybe variable frame rate functionality – but generally it works very well.
The Tivo smart OS is refreshingly free from bloat, and Freely integration is handled well. If you need Wi-Fi-delivered, free-to-air TV, perhaps to move an existing screen to a spare room, or simply because you don’t have access to a traditional aerial connection, it’s definitely a winner.
Specs
Freely IPTV tuner
Max resolution: 3840 x 2160 4K
Refresh rate: 50/60Hz
1 x HDMI
HDR support: HDR10+, HLG,
Premium streaming apps
TIVO+ FAST Channels
96.4 × 96.4 × 26mm (w x d x h)
Weight: 190g