Understanding the Costco 65-Inch Samsung TV Landscape

Why is the 65-Inch Size So Popular?

When shopping for a new television, the 65-inch screen size has become a popular sweet spot for many households. It offers a significantly more immersive viewing experience than smaller 50 or 55-inch models without completely dominating the average living room. This size is large enough to appreciate the detail in 4K and 8K content, making movies, sports, and video games feel more cinematic and engaging. For many, a 65-inch screen strikes the perfect balance between impressive scale and practical placement, fitting comfortably on most media consoles and wall mounts.

Furthermore, manufacturers like Samsung often pack their most sought-after features into their 65-inch models and above. This means you are more likely to find advanced panel technologies, higher refresh rates, and better processing power in this size category. As production has become more efficient, the price difference between a 55-inch and a 65-inch TV has shrunk, making the larger screen a much more attainable upgrade for consumers looking for the best value and performance.

Key Samsung TV Technologies You'll Find at Costco

Navigating the different types of TV technology can be confusing. Samsung primarily offers a few distinct panel types, each with its own strengths. Understanding these is key to choosing the right model for your needs.

QLED (Quantum Dot LED)

QLED is Samsung's flagship LED-backlit LCD technology. The "Q" stands for Quantum Dot, which refers to a layer of microscopic crystals that are placed in front of the TV's LED backlight. When light hits these dots, they emit exceptionally pure and vibrant colors. The result is a television that can produce a wider range of colors and achieve higher peak brightness levels compared to standard LED TVs. This makes QLED TVs an excellent choice for bright rooms, as they can overcome glare and deliver a punchy, vivid picture even with ambient light.

Most of the Samsung TVs you'll encounter at Costco fall into this category. They offer a fantastic all-around viewing experience, with deep blacks (though not as perfect as OLED) and brilliant colors that make HDR content pop. They are also known for their durability and are not susceptible to the burn-in risk associated with OLED technology.

Neo QLED (Mini LED)

Neo QLED represents the next evolution of QLED technology. The primary difference is the backlighting system. Instead of conventional, larger LEDs, Neo QLED TVs use thousands of tiny "Mini LEDs." This massive increase in the number of light sources allows for far more precise control over the screen's brightness and dimming zones. With more zones, the TV can make specific parts of the screen incredibly bright while keeping adjacent parts completely dark.

This technology significantly improves contrast, reduces "blooming" (the halo effect around bright objects on a dark background), and pushes black levels closer to what you'd see on an OLED. If you're looking for one of the best possible pictures for a mix of bright-room and dark-room viewing, a Samsung Neo QLED is a top-tier choice that combines the brightness of QLED with dramatically improved contrast.

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)

Unlike QLED and Neo QLED, Samsung's OLED TVs do not use a backlight at all. Instead, each individual pixel creates its own light. This is why OLED is known as a "self-emissive" technology. The biggest advantage of this is the ability to achieve perfect black levels. To display black, a pixel simply turns itself completely off. This creates an infinite contrast ratio, where bright colors can exist right next to true, inky blacks without any light bleed.

This perfect contrast makes OLED TVs incredible for watching movies in a dark room, as the picture quality is breathtakingly cinematic. While they may not get as bright as their QLED counterparts, modern Samsung S-series OLEDs (which use Quantum Dot technology for color) are plenty bright for most environments. They are a premium choice for cinephiles and anyone who prioritizes contrast and picture purity above all else.

The Benefits of Buying Your TV at Costco

Purchasing a major electronic device like a 65-inch Samsung TV from Costco comes with a unique set of advantages that go beyond the initial price tag.

• Included Extended Warranty: One of the biggest perks is the automatic inclusion of a second-year warranty. Most manufacturers provide a standard one-year warranty, but Costco automatically extends this to two years for televisions, giving you extra peace of mind at no additional cost.
• Generous Return Policy: Costco is famous for its customer-friendly return policy. For electronics like TVs, they offer a 90-day satisfaction guarantee. This gives you ample time to set up the TV in your home and decide if it’s the right fit for your viewing habits and environment.
• Costco Concierge Services: This is a free technical support service for members who purchase electronics at Costco. If you run into any issues with setup or troubleshooting, you can call their dedicated support line for assistance, which can be incredibly helpful for those who aren't tech-savvy.
• Optional Extended Protection: In addition to the included two-year warranty, Costco offers the option to purchase an Allstate Protection Plan. This extends your coverage to a total of five years and often includes coverage for things like power surges and screen burn-in, providing comprehensive long-term protection.

The Evolution of Samsung's TV Technology

Samsung has been a dominant force in the television market for decades, largely due to its relentless innovation in display technology. The journey from the bulky CRT sets of the past to the ultra-thin panels of today is a story of constant refinement. In the early 2000s, the focus shifted to flat-panel displays, with Samsung becoming a major producer of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TVs. These TVs used CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) backlights, which were bulky and not very energy-efficient.

The next major leap was the switch to LED backlights. This allowed for much thinner designs, better energy efficiency, and improved contrast control. Samsung then pioneered its "Quantum Dot" technology, rebranding its premium LED TVs as "QLED." This was a significant step forward in color reproduction, allowing LCD-based TVs to compete with the color volume of other technologies. The most recent major innovation is the adoption of Mini LED backlights in their Neo QLED lineup, which addresses one of the core weaknesses of LCD technology—precise light control—bringing it closer than ever to the performance of self-emissive displays.

Common Questions About Costco Samsung TVs

What is the difference between Costco's Samsung TV models and regular retail models?

You may have noticed that the model number of a Samsung TV at Costco is slightly different from the one at another big-box retailer. For example, a QN90C at a typical store might be sold as a QN90CD at Costco. This is a common practice for "club" or "warehouse" stores. Often, the core hardware and picture quality are identical to the mainline retail model. The difference is usually minor and can be one of several things.

Sometimes the Costco version might include an extra accessory, like a different remote control or longer warranty period built into the product's identity. In other cases, there may be a very subtle difference in the design, such as the color of the stand. For the most part, these "CD" or similar suffix models are functionally the same as their widely reviewed counterparts. It's always a good idea to compare the spec sheets, but you can generally expect the same high-quality performance.

How should I calibrate my new Samsung TV for the best picture?

Getting the best picture out of your new TV doesn't require a professional calibrator, though that is an option for enthusiasts. Modern Samsung TVs come with excellent picture presets that will satisfy most users. The first step is to turn off any "Eco" or "Power Saving" modes, as these can dim the picture and alter colors to save energy. From there, navigate to the picture settings.

For the most accurate image that reflects the director's intent, the "Filmmaker Mode" is the best choice. It disables most of the extra processing, like motion smoothing (often called the "soap opera effect") and artificial sharpening, to present a pure, cinematic image. For general TV watching or sports, the "Movie" or "Standard" modes are also great starting points. You can then make small adjustments to brightness (which controls black levels) and contrast (which controls white levels) to match your room's lighting.

Conclusion

Choosing a 65-inch Samsung TV from Costco involves more than just picking a model off the shelf. It's about understanding the underlying technology—whether it's the vibrant colors of QLED, the incredible contrast of Neo QLED, or the perfect blacks of OLED. Each offers a distinct viewing experience tailored to different preferences and room environments. Layered on top of this are the significant benefits that come with a Costco membership, including an automatic two-year warranty, a 90-day return window, and free technical support. By considering both the technology inside the box and the value-added services outside of it, you can make a well-informed decision and find the perfect centerpiece for your home entertainment system.

For More Information:

• Samsung's Official TV Information Page
• RTINGS.com - In-Depth TV Reviews and Comparisons