Nvidia might have released the Shield TV Pro in 2019, but even that device isn't immune to market pressure.The company has raised the price of the Shield TV Pro to $300, a $100 hike.The company explains the move to as the result of the technology cost crisis prompted by the AI data center rush.
"The cost of components, including memory, has increased substantially across the industry," Nvidia says in a statement.Nvidia Shield TV Pro (2019) $199 at Amazon $199 at bestbuy Expand Collapse Nvidia has simultaneously discontinued the standard Shield TV.The Android TV hardware has been sold out for months, but it's now clear no new stock is coming.
The firm hasn't said if there will be any future Shield products.Not every store is reflecting the Shield TV Pro price increase, so you'll want to buy quickly if you're interested.Other brands have already increased their prices.
The Apple TV 4K jumped from $129 to $199, while the Google TV Streamer surged from $100 to $150.Even Roku's typically affordable streaming devices are more expensive, starting at $40 (previously $30) for the Streaming Stick.Is the Shield TV Pro still a good deal? It has its uses The Shield TV Pro is old, but its powerful-for-the-time Tegra X1+ chip has kept it relevant for years.
It can play 4K HDR video, upscale lower-resolution content, and play games either from the Google Play Store or through the cloud using GeForce Now.It can double as a Plex media server.Related Why I'm Still Waiting for an NVIDIA Shield 2 Time flies when you're building AI data centers.
Posts 2 By Tim Brookes The higher price nonetheless hurts its value.You're now paying $300 for the media streamer when newer boxes cost much less, and might be better for gaming and other more demanding tasks.And while Nvidia is still updating the software to this day, it's capped at Android 11 where the latest Android TV software is based on Android 16.
That leaves it without underlying features and potentially exposes it to security risks.There are few options for dedicated Android TV devices, however, and they tend to be less powerful products like the Google TV Streamer and Walmart's Onn 4K Pro.If you prefer Google's take on the living room and don't have a TV set with Android built-in, the Shield TV Pro is still a good choice.
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