DECEMBER 2014 ;e Costco Connection 53
THIS IS an exciting
time in the world of
high-definition television, with two new big
developments: ultra-high-definition (UHD)
TVs and the sleek
curved-screen models.
UHD is the latest
in super-sharp screen
technology. Also called
4K TVs or Ultra HD,
these new models offer resolution that is four
times higher than existing “Full HD,” or
1080p TVs. The simplest way to explain it is
that UHD screens have more than 8 million
pixels, compared to 2 million in a Full HD
TV. More pixels mean much sharper images.
Curved-screen TVs also offer those sharp
UHD pictures, but they differ from traditional
flat screens. The curved screen gives viewers a
more immersive, theater-like experience.
I get a lot of questions about available
content for these new UHD TVs. More and
more studios are beginning to produce shows
and movies in UHD; it definitely is the wave
of the future, showing up now. Meanwhile,
the new UHD models “upscale” existing con-
tent to make the picture sharper. You get the
most impressive results with larger screens.
Costco features a variety of new UHD
TVs in the warehouses and for delivery on
Costco.com. For curved screens, I suggest
taking a look at the latest from Samsung,
such as the 55- and 65-inch HU7200 TVs.
For flat panels, Vizio’s P-series offer a tremendous value in 70-inch and other sizes in
the warehouses and at Costco.com. C
HIGH;DEFINITION
video has become a
standard feature for
cameras, camcorders
and even smart-
phones. As a result,
flash mem-
ory cards—
where all
these price-
less videos
are captured
and stored—have had to improve
to function most effectively.
Costco offers a variety of the
latest flash memory cards from
SanDisk to handle Full HD video.
The SanDisk Ultra Plus SDHC™
memory cards are great for everyday casual users. They offer enhanced speed,
faster downloads and better performance
when capturing and storing photos and Full
HD videos on high-megapixel point-and-shoot cameras and camcorders.
The SanDisk Ultra Plus microSDHC
UHS-I cards are ideal for Android-powered
and other smartphones and tablets. The
SanDisk Extreme Plus SDHC cards are ideal
for hobbyists and pros. They work perfectly
with midrange to advanced digital cameras,
DSLR cameras and HD camcorders. They
have no problem capturing
fast-action photos in quick suc-
cession, plus Full HD and even
4K videos with UHS Speed
Class 3, which is the SD
Association’s new specification
requiring a mini-
mum sustained
write speed of 30
MB per second.
It’s important
to note that all
SanDisk SDHC
and microSDHC
cards are durability tested to protect your
memories from life’s mishaps—they’re
waterproof, shockproof, X-ray-proof and
temperature-proof. Check your device’s
manual to find the right one. C
AS MANY of our
members have
noticed, Costco is now
selling a selection of
Apple products in the
warehouses and online
at Costco.com. The
latest hot item to add
to the lineup is the
new iPad Air 2, which
Apple unveiled in a
big rollout in October.
The Air 2 is amazingly light and thin—it
weighs less than a pound—and is 18 percent
thinner than last year’s iPad Air. Thanks to
Apple’s new A8X chip, the Air 2 is really fast,
which makes a difference when you’re load-
ing apps, opening Web pages and playing
games. For convenient security, the Air 2
features Touch ID fingerprint sensors (your
fingerprint is your password).
Other notable features for the Air 2 are
its new 8-megapixel camera, an upgrade
from the 5-megapixel model, and a battery
life of up to 10
hours. That’s pretty
impressive for a
machine that’s as
powerful as many
personal computers.
One other note:
The arrival of the
Air 2 is pushing
down the prices of
previous models,
so now there’s a
broader range of
price options on
tablets. Costco carries the iPad Air 2 in various colors and the original iPad Air in the
warehouses and on Costco.com. C
Mark Woodrich
Buyer,
Electronics
Chris Day
Buyer,
Computers
Kimberly
Alexander
Buyer, TVs
Some of our favorite new
electronic products
powerful as many
h
Buyers’picks
Two latest and greatest
TV options: the Samsung
curved model (left) and
Vizio's latest UHD (above).
special section electronics