Articles by Al Griffin, Senior Editor Home Entertainment, US

Al Griffin is Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, US at TechRadar. Previously the editor of Sound & Vision magazine, he brings nearly three decades of journalism experience to the position, and has contributed to a wide range of print and online outlets including Wirecutter, ProjectorCentral, The SoundStage! Network, Popular Science, and HD Guru. An ISF-trained video calibrator, Al specializes in TV and projector testing and has also written countless audio equipment reviews ranging from speakers and subwoofers to integrated amps. An avowed movie fanatic, he spends his free time holed up in his home theater, and is also an avid cyclist.

Articles by: Al Griffin

Focal Utopia theater system projection screen showing image of spatial audio mix

I listened to spatial audio on a 7.4.4-channel Focal speaker system, and now I need to up my Dolby Atmos music game

By Al Griffin Published 2 August 25

Focal's 7.4.4-channel Utopia Cinema speaker system is being showcased at Audio Advice Live 2025, and it delivers exceptional sound with both movies and Dolby Atmos music.

4 Comments

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 projecting image of motorcycle racer

Epson’s new laser projector with 4K 120Hz support is its cheapest gaming projector yet

By Al Griffin Published 31 July 25

Epson's latest addition to its Pro Cinema projector lineup brings 4K resolution and 120Hz gaming support to a new low price for the company.

A Nintendo Switch 2 next to hands holding the Sigma BF and a B&O Bluetooth speaker sitting on a table

The best tech of 2025 so far – the 17 finest gadgets we've tested this year

By Mark Wilson Published 5 July 25

TechRadar has spent days testing products across phones, TVs, laptops, cameras, smartwatches and more in 2025. These are the best ones we've reviewed so far this year.

Sony Bravia 8 II showing image of landscape

Sony Bravia 8 II review: a better, brighter Sony OLED TV that sounds as good as it looks

By Al Griffin Published 28 June 25

Recommended

Sony’s new flagship OLED has a significantly brighter picture than its Bravia 8 predecessor, and its built-in sound puts most other TVs to shame.

Collage of 3 TVs showing colorful images

I review TVs for a living, and these are the 3 best TVs I’ve tested so far in 2025

By Al Griffin Published 27 June 25

We're only halfway through 2025, but these TVs have already emerged as top picks, and they are starting to see discounts.

3 Comments

Three mini LED TVs showing colorful abstract images

I tested 3 flagship mini-LED TVs – here’s the one I’d spend my own money on

By Al Griffin Published 18 June 25

I've tested the top mini-LED TVs from Hisense, Samsung, and TCL. Here are my thoughts on what each model does well, and which one I'd personally lean toward buying.

LG G5 and Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TVs showing images of mountainside and squirrel

I tested the Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TV, and I don’t think Samsung and LG have anything to worry about

By Al Griffin Published 17 June 25

Sony's new Bravia 8 II flagship OLED TV has arrived at a premium price. Does it have what it takes to stand up to this year's OLED competition?

visionOS 26 Personas, Liquid Glass on iOS 26 on an iPhone, and macOS 26 Tahoe

15 things we learned at the Apple WWDC 2025 keynote

By Marc McLaren Published 9 June 25

Apple's WWDC 2025 was packed with big software announcements. Here are the key details you need in your brain.

The new tvOS 26 feature I’m most excited for is also the most obvious upgrade Apple could make to match Samsung and LG

By Al Griffin Published 9 June 25

Display Profiles gets an update in tvOS 26, and it's one enhancement that will help Apple keep up with the smart TV competition.

Apple TV home screen showing Fountain of Youth

The 5 new Apple TV 4K features coming in tvOS 26 you need to know about

By Al Griffin Published 9 June 25

Apple announced the new tvOS 26 at WWDC 2025: here are the new features coming to your Apple TV or Apple TV 4K streaming box.

Samsung QN90F TV review: an outstanding mini-LED TV for bright room viewing

By Al Griffin Published 8 June 25

Editor's Choice

The Samsung QN90F combines refined picture quality with a wide range of well-executed features, making it an excellent TV for movies, sports, and gaming. It's comparatively pricey, but worth it.

Hisense U8QG showing image of mountain range

Hisense U8QG review: a brighter and all-around better Hisense mini-LED TV

By Al Griffin Published 25 May 25

Recommended

The Hisense U8QG is a great value and the brand's brightest TV yet. It's also packed with a wide array of features that make it an excellent option for gaming.

Epson QL7000 showing football games on screen at CEDIA 20204

The Epson QL7000 is by far the brightest projector I’ve tested – but how bright do 4K projectors need to be?

By Al Griffin Published 6 May 25

Brightness is a projector spec that gets plenty of attention, but other factors can make an even more important contribution to picture quality.

Epson QL7000 projector review: unmatched brightness in a stylish package

By Al Griffin Published 3 May 25

Recommended

Epson’s QL7000 projector can be paired with screens as large as 300 inches, and it’s so bright you won’t even need to dim the lights.

LG G5 OLED TV showing image of landscape

LG Display announces viability of ‘Dream OLED’ tech – but I wouldn't count on seeing it in the next generation of OLED TVs

By Al Griffin Published 1 May 25

LG announced a hybrid two-stack OLED display with blue fluorescence in the lower stack and blue phosphorescence in the upper stack that gets us closer to the dream of a perfect OLED TV.

Living room with screen showing Kaleidescape movie library

This 4K Blu-ray alternative could be the shot in the arm that 8K TVs desperately need

By Al Griffin Published 21 April 25

Movie player/server maker Kaleidescape has joined the 8K Association, giving home theater fans hope for more and better 8K at home.

4 Comments

I love LG’s new Magic Remote design for its OLED TVs – too bad only certain regions are getting it

By Al Griffin Published 13 April 25

LG's long-time Magic Remote control design has finally been updated – but not all regions will be getting the same remote.

2 Comments

LG G5 OLED TV showing colorful abstract image

LG G5 review: a new world of brightness for OLED TVs

By Al Griffin Published 12 April 25

Editor's Choice

LG’s G5 uses a new OLED TV display panel to hit dizzying brightness heights, making it a versatile option for daytime and dark room viewing.

4 Comments

Sue Storm using her force-field powers in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

CinemaCon 2025 – every big movie announcement, including Avatar 3, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, James Bond, Mission Impossible and more

By Matt Bolton Last updated 4 April 25

CinemaCon 2025 is over – here are all new movie announcements that we spotted during the event.

Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6 on table below TV

Sony launches two new budget soundbars – one with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and one with big surround-sound for cheap

By Al Griffin Published 2 April 25

Sony has announced a trio of home theater audio offerings, led by a new entry-level Dolby Atmos soundbar.

Sony Bravia 8 II and other new TVs on podium with red curtain in back

Sony’s new TV lineup for 2025 doubles down on QD-OLED

By Al Griffin Published 2 April 25

Sony has announced its new TVs for 2025, and the lineup is led by a flagship QD-OLED series.

I tested Samsung's new top mini-LED 4K TV, and the Glare-Free screen tech makes a big difference

By Al Griffin Published 1 April 25

I've given the feature-packed Samsung QN90F 4K mini-LED TV a thorough hands-on test.

Samsung QN990F showing image of tennis court

I tested the new Samsung QN990F mini-LED TV, and it’s an 8K wireless wonder – with a couple of catches

By Al Griffin Published 1 April 25

Samsung's flagship 8K TV is its best yet, but the price is high, and the jury is still out on its wireless gaming performance.

Hisense U8 series TV on wall in living room

Hisense announces 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, with screen sizes up to 100 inches – and a surprising smart TV switch

By Al Griffin Published 26 March 25

Hisense is updating its U9, U8, U7, and U6 series TVs for 2025, with larger screen sizes and gaming feature upgrades.

LG G5 OLED TV mounted on wall showing image of man in a parking garage

The new LG OLED TV feature I’m most excited about is Filmmaker Mode with Ambient Light Compensation – here’s why

By Al Griffin Published 15 March 25

Filmmaker Mode with Ambient Light Compensation brings director-approved accuracy to pictures, even in bright viewing conditions.

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