Nvidia has drastically raised the retail price for the Shield TV Pro. The popular streaming player, which originally hit the market back in 2019, now costs 329 euros. This pushes the price of a device that has remained unchanged on store shelves for several years to a new record high.
Memory crisis hits consumer electronics
The ongoing memory crisis is seen as the catalyst for this significant price jump. The strained supply and production of memory chips is now directly impacting streaming hardware. Even though older hardware platforms benefit from established manufacturing processes, rising component costs are noticeably driving up end-customer prices.
Nvidia is not alone in the market with such adjustments. A few months ago, Apple already significantly increased prices for the third-generation Apple TV 4K. Nvidia’s move now underscores that this is an industry-wide trend affecting even hardware that has been sold since 2019.
Context: Price hike for aging hardware
Consumer electronics becoming more expensive rather than cheaper after several years on the market is an unusual occurrence in the media player segment. For a long time, streaming boxes were considered comparatively price-stable or progressively discounted upgrade options for older televisions or home theater systems. Priced at 329 euros, however, the Shield TV Pro enters a territory that prompts consumers to reconsider.
What does this mean for home theater users?
Anyone currently considering buying an Nvidia Shield TV Pro will have to invest significantly more than in the past. Prospective buyers should consider whether making a purchase at the new price point of 329 euros is strictly necessary, or whether the purchase can be postponed until the market settles down. Those who already own a Shield TV Pro should treat the device with appropriate care, as any potential replacement will now come with noticeably higher costs.
Sources: Stadt-Bremerhaven
