wxgsi We’ve been sitting on this evaluation for months – in the hope that LG would release a firmware update that would lastly make things work right. Alas, still without any indication of it as well as with last weeks statement of 2 new TV upgrader modules it appears like the ST600 is a gonner. Our advice? Buy the Roku Instead. So here’s our evaluation – of what it’s worth.
It’s no trick that we’re huge Plex fans right here at Automated Home. however while we like our Mac mini powered configuration on the primary AV system, even a second hand Mac mini of appropriate spec is around £350 these days. That’s why we were excited to hear of a £100 box that would bring us the Plex experience. It’s been a while since the statement however lastly we’ve got our hands on one of the new LG ST600 TV Upgrader boxes. checked out on to discover out exactly how it performs.
Physically the system is similar to an Apple TV, although it’s a bit larger (11cms x 11cms x 3cms), even with its outside ‘brick’ PSU compared to the ATV2’s interior one. likewise on the rear panel is an HDMI, an optical audio out as well as an Ethernet socket. It has developed in 802.11n Wi-Fi (5 GHz as well as 2.4 GHz) too, however you’re going to want wired Ethernet for hassle free HD playback.
LG’s specs show a 17w usage for the bit fella as well as it takes around 35 seconds to boot. On arrival the system needed a firmware update which added the Plex app (known as ‘Media Link’ on the box). Firmware updates are a simple matter of selecting the choice from one of the menus in settings as well as letting it do its thing for a few minutes. unfortunately a bug in the present firmware (version ST.8.79.173.F at time of evaluation – now on ST.8.79.198.F – still with issues) means that only a couple of data styles are working right now.
LG ST600 (bottom) compared to the Apple TV 2
Filters are something you’re utilized to already if you’re a Plex user. You can select to view ‘Recently Aired’ or ‘Recently Added’ movies as well as TV for example. Or jump to ‘Recently viewed Shows’ to continue watching a series or ‘Recently viewed Episodes’ will enable you to continue watching where you left off on any type of other Plex client around the house. You can actually begin watching a movie on the iMac in the kitchen, continue on the iPad in the…cough, rest room. then pick up from where you left off on the ST600 in the bedroom.
As well as filters you can browse although the on screen keyboard is a bit of a pain to use. It would be nice to see the system ship with a remote that has a decent QWERTY keyboard integrated, like the Boxee one. As expected the UI isn’t rather Apple-like as well as it’s sluggish too, something that will definitely frustrate individuals utilized to the ‘Full’ Plex experience on a Mac or PC. nevertheless this is a box that will play your 1080P MKVs, unlike the ATVs finicky option of apple friendly formatted 720p content.
Side Mounted USB Socket & Reset Button
The diminutive remote manage is really rather nice in the hand as well as simple to use. The bit area in the middle of the 4-way controller seems to be touch sensative as well as really enables you to manage the pointer on the screen while you are in the web browser.
The Supplied Remote manage is a decent bit Unit
Movie browsing will look familiar to Plex Users
Browsing TV Shows
Browsing with your movies as well as TV shows will be familiar to Plex users. While it’s definitely a ‘cut-down’ experience compared to the one you may be utilized to on the Mac, it still has just sufficient of the Plex magic to make it usable. It is definitely a big step above the typical folder / data navigation of many other similar set top boxes. indeed such an app exists on the ST600 (which we utilized to test the 1080P MKV playback) as well as it’s quite awful having to go back to this kind of thing when you’ve utilized the Plex library.
‘Powered by Plex”
Watch All Your favourite web videos with Plex Plugins
There are other nice touches too. When you are playing music the system blanks the TV screen all except a little information as well as manage panel that moves about the screen so as not to shed in on your finest plasma.
The ST600 has a variety of other developed in apps, plus the ubiquitous ‘Store’ to acquire both free as well as paid additions. nevertheless if you’re utilized to any type of of todays contemporary smartphone, tablet or PC OS’s these will most likely want to make you eat your own face.
Conclusion – We’re truly only thinking about the LG600 as an affordable Plex box for secondary zones like bedrooms. However, as of today the firmware still won’t play many of the data types we requirement in the Media link (Plex) app (even though they perform in the fundamental movie player app). While we wait to see what the new TV Upgrader boxes bring later in the year, you can get yourself a much much better Plex experience by utilizing the widget for Samsung Blue-ray players as well as TVs – inspect out this link for all the info.
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Last update on 2021-10-04 / affiliate links / pictures from Amazon product marketing API