Nvidia's beloved Shield TV Pro streaming box is now $100 more expensive, jumping to $299.99, a move the company attributes to rising component costs, particularly memory, driven by the AI boom.
The Shield TV Pro, first launched in 2019 with its robust Android TV capabilities and AI upscaling, has maintained a strong following for its media playback prowess. Despite its age, the device, powered by the Tegra X1+ chip, was originally priced at $199.99, with a now-discontinued non-Pro version at $149.99. This significant price increase reflects broader industry trends impacting everything from smartphones to gaming consoles.
Nvidia confirmed the price hike, stating, "Starting October 2, SHIELD Pro will be priced at $299. The cost of components, including memory, has increased substantially across the industry." This highlights how even established hardware is not immune to the supply chain pressures exacerbated by the demand for AI-related components.
While the Shield TV has been described as a "passion project" by Nvidia, it appears that even these initiatives must adapt to market realities. The company continues to manufacture and sell every unit it produces, meaning new devices are subject to the same inflated component costs affecting other tech sectors. This situation is not unique to Nvidia, as other major players like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo have also increased prices on their current-generation gaming hardware.
The increased cost of manufacturing likely contributed to the recent scarcity of the Shield TV Pro. At $300, Nvidia can justify producing more units, but this elevated price point may deter casual users seeking basic streaming functionality. For those who don't require the Shield's advanced codec support or Plex server capabilities, more affordable streaming alternatives are readily available.
The Shield TV Pro remains out of stock on Nvidia's official store but is available at the new $299.99 price through retailers like Best Buy.
