LG StanbyME Go review: bulky, battery-powered magic

Long-term, of course, the briefcase unit probably will not be a good stand-in for any scenario where an iPad or a regular TV would suffice. But as a barbecue entertainment screen, a back-of-the-station-wagon cinema or even a stashable kids’ bedroom TV, the StanByME Go has got the chops.

When you undo the clips on the case, the part you grab onto and lift to open contains the 4.0 channel sound system hidden within, meaning the speakers will be aiming directly at you if you’re standing in front of the open case. This makes it pretty handy as a music machine, though it doesn’t have a lot of punch. While playing audio, the screen — still lying inside the case — shows controls and an animation of a spinning record, which is cute.

If you’re viewing solo, you can lift the screen just enough to angle it like a laptop, but it also has a bit of an arm attached so you can bring it all the way up for everyone to see. If you’re watching portrait video, it even swivels around to a 9:16 format.

The speakers do fine with movie content and can they play surround sound and Atmos content in a 5.1.2 speaker system, despite having no woofer or rear speakers, but you should keep your expectations low considering they’re hidden inside the thin lining of a briefcase.

The TV itself is not the kind of thing you would pay $2000 for were it not battery-powered and cleverly attached to the inside of a rugged military-style case. You won’t find 4K resolution or high refresh rates here. And you certainly won’t find an OLED panel or even fancy LED backlights. It’s a standard HD screen with very basic high-definition resolution and Dolby Vision support, just with a few extra features to suit its portable purpose.

For starters, it is a touch screen, which is handy for navigating the settings or for using LG’s own apps, including a few games — that remind me of playing chess on the back of an aeroplane seat out of extreme boredom — and some ambient themes so you can set it up to look like a fireplace or a window.

All other apps require you to use the included remote, or you can swipe the side of the screen to summon a virtual touchscreen one.

The TV uses a modified version of the same WebOS software that LG’s regular sets have, so once you’ve connected to Wi-Fi, you can download practically any streaming service you want.

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You can also fling video over from your home network or from your phone, and there’s even a little cradle in the case to hold your device while it’s mirroring.

But none of this is particularly practical when you are out in the wild without Wi-Fi.

Away from the internet, there’s a USB port on the back of the case through which you can load media, as well as an HDMI outlet if you want to bring a laptop or some other battery-powered player. That HDMI does support an Enhanced Audio Return Channel feature, which means to get decent sound, you will also need to have access to power for your soundbar. You can also connect to the speakers by Bluetooth.

The StanByME Go makes for a decent portable gaming screen too, again assuming you have some way to power a console. Its ability to rotate 90 degrees could make it the centre of a fun arcade set-up if you have the right gear to attach to it.

Overall, the StanbyME Go is an impressive feat of engineering and a perfect entertainment accessory for some very specific situations. If you need an outdoor TV for three hours or less, have nearby access to a power source periodically, and you aren’t fussed about the latest and greatest in display technology, this TV in the briefcase will fit the bill.

Personally, I think the ideal use for it would be a screen somewhere in your home that needs TV only some of the time — like an enclosed verandah or a bedroom — where you also have the option of picking it up and taking it with you on your travels.

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