The Nvidia Shield TV Pro’s price hike of $100 signals a new era where memory and storage come at a premium, regardless of device age. Launched in 2019, this streaming box, equipped with advanced AI upscaling and hardware decoding, now retails at $299.99, up from its initial $199.99 mark. Despite being a passion project, the Shield TV Pro faces the same supply chain constraints as modern tech giants.

The cost of components, driven by AI, has skyrocketed, forcing Nvidia to adjust prices. This trend isn’t unique; game consoles like the PS5 Pro have also seen price hikes, reflecting the broader impact of AI on manufacturing costs. For consumers, the Shield TV Pro may not be the best value, especially for those who simply want to stream content.

Unless you need the extensive codec support or Plex server capabilities, a cheaper alternative might be more fitting. The Shield TV Pro is currently out of stock on Nvidia’s store but can be found at Best Buy at the new price. The hike in price could make the set-top box less appealing to consumers, who might prefer more cost-effective options.

Despite the price increase, Nvidia continues to manufacture and sell every unit of the Shield TV Pro, demonstrating the company’s commitment to its product. However, the higher cost of production might lead to reduced stock in the near future, as it becomes too expensive to manufacture new units.