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

Samsung QN90C TV review: a bright mini-LED TV that looks good from any angle

By Al Griffin last updated 14 February 24

Recommended

Samsung’s QN90C packs many of the same features as its flagship QN95C Neo QLED, but sells for considerably less.

home theater room with beige seating and purple-lit walls

End of an era for home theater fans – new EU regulations spell lights out for lamp-based projectors

By Al Griffin published 13 February 24

New EU regulations that go into effect on January 1, 2026 will effectively ban the sale of projectors that use UHP lamps.

Bose Soundbar 600 on TV stand with red screen in background

Bose Smart Soundbar 600 review: small and affordable with serious Dolby Atmos power

By Al Griffin last updated 12 February 24

Recommended

Bose's compact all-in-one soundbar delivers Dolby Atmos thrills, and it does so at an affordable price.

The Apple Vision Pro sat in front of an LG OLED TV with Paramount Plus showing on it

ICYMI: the week's 8 biggest tech stories from Paramount Plus cancellations to our LG G4 OLED TV review

By Hamish Hector published 10 February 24

Catch up on the week's 8 biggest tech stories from the Apple Vision Pro to Paramount Plus to the LG G4 OLED TV.

XGIMI Horizon Max projector on motorized gimbal

Portable projectors are everywhere – is this the end of home theater as we know it?

By Al Griffin published 26 January 24

CES 2024 Portable projectors made a splash at CES 2024, with new models featuring 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR, and other high-end features.

sonus faber suprema with mcintosh amps in backgroiund

The best speakers of CES 2024

By Al Griffin published 14 January 24

CES 2024 CES is better known nowadays for TVs, robot vacuums, EVs, and appliances, but there's still hi-fi gems to be dug out at the show.

I listened to Dolby Atmos music in a Mercedes-Benz – and music on the road never sounded so good

By Al Griffin published 10 January 24

CES 2024 Dolby had a Mercedes-Benz S580 with a 31-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system parked at CES, and I got to take it for a ride.

Samsung The Premiere 8K projecting soccer image

Samsung introduces the world’s first wireless 8K projector

By Al Griffin published 8 January 24

CES 2024 The company's projector introductions at CES 2024 range from a super-bright 8K model to a compact, portable ultra short throw

Samsung QN900D being watched by man holding remote control

Samsung unveils 2024 mini-LED TV range, including a ‘floating’ 8K gaming TV

By Al Griffin published 8 January 24

CES 2024 Samsung's 2024 Neo QLED TV lineup features 8K and 4K models with screen sizes up to 98 inches.

Kaleidescape interface on projection screen in dark home theater room

I tried the world’s most expensive movie player – here’s how it beats 4K Blu-ray

By Al Griffin published 2 January 24

The Kaleidescape systems bring 4K Blu-ray video and audio quality to movie downloads, and that's just one of the things they can do...

I updated my Apple TV 4K to tvOS 17.2 – and smart TV makers should take note of what Apple is doing

By Al Griffin published 17 December 23

Apple's new tvOS update reduces screen clutter and adds features that make it easier to access shows you want.

Home theater with beige furniture and large screen

I switched from a 65-inch TV to a 4K projector – and the results surprised me

By Al Griffin published 10 December 23

Thinking of upgrading to a projector? Watching on a 100-inch screen can bring out details in movies you're likely to miss on a typical TV.

Two OnePlus 12 phones and a laptop running Google Gemini on a blue background

ICYMI: the week's 7 biggest tech stories, from Google Gemini to Windows 12

By Mark Wilson published 9 December 23

2023 might nearly be over, but that doesn't mean the tech news has run dry. Here are biggest stories of the week.

Netflix quietly rolled out an HDR upgrade for 4K TVs – here are the details

By Al Griffin published 1 December 23

Pricing for Netflix's 4K Premium tier has gone up, but so has the HDR video quality according to a Netflix tech blog post.

Sony HT-S2000 soundbar review: a Sonos Beam alternative with surprisingly big sound

By Al Griffin published 12 November 23

Recommended

Sony's affordable Dolby Atmos soundbar is a compact, all-in-one design with surprisingly big and well-balanced sound.

Sony XR-X90L TV on stand with red car on screen

Sony X90L review: a mid-range 4K TV that performs like a mini-LED

By Al Griffin last updated 6 November 23

Recommended

The Sony's X90L's great all-around picture quality lets it compete effectively with higher-priced TVs.

LG S80QY soundbar with TV image of woman

4 soundbar upgrades that are worth the money

By Al Griffin published 5 November 23

You don't need to spend large sums on a soundbar, but these 4 upgrades will have an impact and are worth the extra money.

Hegel Viking CD player on shelf with CDs and LPs

Forget vinyl LPs – the Hegel Viking will take your CD collection to Valhalla

By Al Griffin published 29 October 23

CDs are far from dead, with the arrival of new dedicated CD players confirming the format’s ongoing viability.

Halloween house exterior with scary images projected on window

How to use a projector to turn a window into a Halloween horrorshow

By Al Griffin last updated 26 October 23

Transforming a window into a spooky cinema is easy, but you'll need a projector and scream, I mean screen.

How Max became our Streaming Service of the Year and beat Netflix

By Al Griffin published 25 October 23

In a year that saw streaming services consolidate and raise prices across the board, Max stands out as the best option for most people.

I tested Sony’s X90L, and this 4K LED TV matches its mini-LED competition in 3 surprising ways

By Al Griffin published 21 October 23

Our initial testing of Sony's new mid-range LED TV reveals multiple improvements over last year's X90K, with no change in price.

Samsung QN90C vs Samsung QN85C: which 4K mini-LED TV should you buy?

By Al Griffin published 14 October 23

We compare Samsung's 2023 mini-LED TVs on performance, value and specs to help you decide which one to buy.

I test TVs, and these 3 OLED TV deals are the best I’ve seen on Prime Day

By Al Griffin published 10 October 23

The discounts are in, and these deals are among the best available for three of 2023's top OLED TVs.

Samsunng QN85C showing abstract image on screen

Samsung QN85C review: a less pricey mini-LED TV that's great for gaming

By Al Griffin published 30 September 23

Samsung's entry-level mini-LED offers many of the same features as its Neo QLED siblings, but at a lower cost.

Samsung QN85C TV showing colorful abstract pattern

I tested Samsung’s ‘cheap’ mini-LED – here’s what it does as well as expensive TVs

By Al Griffin published 17 September 23

Our initial test of Samsung's entry-level mini-LED reveals a 4K TV with strong features, but also a few compromises.

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