On October 2, 2026, Nvidia raised the price of the Shield TV Pro from $199.99 to $299.99 USD, blaming rising memory-chip costs across the industry. The company also discontinued the cheaper, tube-shaped Shield TV ($149.99 at launch), leaving the Pro as the only Shield you can buy new. Here is the part that matters: the Shield TV Pro's hardware has not changed since 2019. You are now paying about $300 for a seven-year-old streaming box with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage.
For Canadian buyers, the Formuler Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition is CA$294.99 at Dreamlinkstore.com, with 4 GB RAM, Wi-Fi 6 and a Bluetooth voice remote. Orders ship from Ottawa. Compare current Canadian retail totals for both devices before deciding; a US-dollar price is not a Canadian retail quote.
Here is the full, honest breakdown — including the areas where the Shield still wins.
The quick verdict
- Choose the Nvidia Shield TV Pro if cloud gaming through GeForce Now is a priority, you want Nvidia's AI upscaling, or you value its long software-support track record.
- Choose the Formuler Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition if MYTVOnline 3, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB storage and Wi-Fi 6 fit your setup. Check app compatibility and compare the final Canadian price with the Shield before buying.
Shield TV Pro vs Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition: side-by-side specs
| Specification | Nvidia Shield TV Pro | Formuler Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Price | US$299.99 (US price quoted above; check current Canadian retail pricing) | $294.99 CAD |
| Processor | Nvidia Tegra X1+ | Realtek RTD1319C quad-core |
| RAM / Storage | 3GB / 16GB | 4GB DDR4 / 32GB eMMC |
| Operating system | Android 11 powered by Android TV | Android 11 |
| Video | 4K HDR, Dolby Vision (no AV1, no HDR10+) | 4K at 60fps, AV1, HEVC, HDR10+ and HLG |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | HD audio |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5), dual-band | Wi-Fi 6 (AX 2x2) |
| Ethernet | Gigabit | Gigabit (1000M) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Remote | Backlit Bluetooth voice remote with remote finder | Bluetooth voice remote (BT1 Edition) |
| Media player | Android TV apps, built-in Plex server | MYTVOnline 3 with recording & timeshift |
| Gaming | GeForce Now cloud gaming, AI upscaling | Casual Android gaming |
What just happened to the Shield
Nvidia confirmed the $100 increase took effect October 2, 2026, pointing to higher component costs — memory in particular — driven by industry-wide demand. The hardware itself is untouched: the same Tegra X1+ chip, 3GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage it launched with in October 2019. The tube-shaped Shield TV, the budget entry point into the lineup, has been discontinued entirely.
Memory, storage and software
The Shield TV Pro has 3 GB RAM and 16 GB storage. The Z11 Pro Max has 4 GB RAM and 32 GB storage: one-third more RAM and twice the internal storage. NVIDIA lists Android 11 powered by Android TV for the Shield; Formuler lists Android 11 with MYTVOnline 3 for the Z11 Pro Max.
Memory and storage figures alone do not establish which device will run your apps better. Check each app’s device requirements, supported playback formats and controls before choosing.
Where the Shield still wins
Fair is fair. The Shield TV Pro keeps three genuine advantages:
- AI upscaling: Nvidia's AI-enhanced upscaling is still widely praised for making HD content look sharper on 4K TVs.
- HDR and audio formats: NVIDIA lists Dolby Vision, HDR10 and Dolby Atmos for the Shield. Formuler lists HDR10+ and HLG for the Z11 Pro Max. Check your app, content, TV and sound system for the formats you intend to use.
- Gaming and software support: GeForce Now cloud gaming, a built-in Plex media server, and a software-support track record reviewers have called unmatched — Nvidia committed to continued support again in early 2026.
If those three things top your list, the Shield remains a strong box — just a much more expensive one than it was last month.
Where the Formuler pulls ahead
- More RAM and storage: 4GB DDR4 / 32GB vs 3GB / 16GB.
- Newer connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 5, with Bluetooth 5.0 and gigabit Ethernet on both.
- Modern video codecs: AV1 support — the codec streaming apps increasingly use to save bandwidth — which the Shield lacks.
- MYTVOnline 3: Formuler's purpose-built media player with recording and timeshift, designed for big-screen viewing.
- Canadian purchase option: the BT1 Edition is CA$294.99 at Dreamlinkstore.com and ships from Ottawa. Compare this with a current Canadian Shield listing, including applicable taxes and shipping.
The Canadian angle
US$299.99 and CA$294.99 are different currencies, so the sticker numbers alone do not establish the Canadian price difference. Canadian retailers set their own prices. Compare current CAD totals, including applicable taxes and shipping; for an imported purchase, also check currency conversion and any import charges.
Dreamlinkstore.com lists the Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition at CA$294.99, the standard IR1 edition at CA$249.99 and the open-box Z11 Pro Max at CA$199.99. These are different packages or conditions. Check each listing for included accessories and availability. Applicable taxes and shipping are shown at checkout.
Who should buy which?
- Get the Shield TV Pro if you are a gamer who uses GeForce Now, you own a Dolby Vision and Atmos home theater and want the best format support, or you simply want Nvidia's long update history.
- Get the Formuler Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition if MYTVOnline 3, the included Bluetooth voice remote, Wi-Fi 6 and 4 GB / 32 GB suit your needs. Compare the current Canadian total and required apps with the Shield.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nvidia Shield TV Pro still worth buying in 2026?
It is still a capable box with great upscaling, Dolby Vision and Atmos, and strong software support. But at $299.99 USD for 2019 hardware, it is a much harder sell than it was at $199.99 — most buyers will get more for their money elsewhere.
Does the Formuler Z11 Pro Max support 4K?
Yes. Formuler lists 4K at 60fps, HDR10+, HLG, AV1 and HEVC decoding for the Z11 Pro Max. For Dolby Vision, compare the Shield or the Formuler Z12 Ultra, and check support in your intended app and content.
What comes with the Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition?
The box, a Bluetooth voice remote, HDMI cable, and power adapter. It runs Android 11 with access to popular streaming apps, plus Formuler's MYTVOnline 3 media player with recording and timeshift.
Where can I buy the Formuler Z11 Pro Max in Canada?
Right here at Dreamlinkstore.com — $294.99 CAD for the BT1 Edition ($249.99 CAD standard, $199.99 CAD open box), in stock and shipped from Ottawa, Ontario.
Compare the features you will use, app compatibility and the final Canadian purchase total. See the Formuler Z11 Pro Max BT1 Edition listing for its current price and package details.
Comparison corrections and Formuler prices checked October 15, 2026. Manufacturer specifications: NVIDIA SHIELD TV Pro and Formuler Z11 Pro Max. The Shield price quoted in this article is in US dollars, not a verified Canadian retailer price.