It's been a while since we announced the launch of Vero 4K +, and we've got some news (good and bad).

When we launched Vero 4K + in 2018, we chose to upgrade the platform in a specific way that would guarantee longevity, judiciously choosing the SoC to implement the improvements. We wanted to ensure that Vero 4K and Vero 4K + users would experience long term support and timely response to issues. After all, Vero customers keep the OSMC project running.

Since 2017, we've maintained the Vero 4K/4K+ platform reliably, delivering consistent updates that improve stability and performance and along the way, we've been ensuring that we track Debian and Kodi releases in the process.

We've also offered OSMC on Raspberry Pi in this period, and we'll continue to do so. We want to keep up our track record, stay true to our roots, and most importantly, continue to support and promote open source software.

A Vero 4K running OSMC from February 2017 is very different from a Vero 4K running OSMC's October 2022 release. A Vero 4K purchased over five years ago can now enjoy:

  • The latest Kodi version (17.6 on release, 19.4 now).
  • HD and multi-channel audio improvements
  • Support for HDR10+ and HLG
  • HDR to SDR tonemapping support
  • Improved Bluetooth support
  • 3D MVC Frame Packed output
  • Operating system updates and security fixes
  • A lot more...

If you purchased a Vero 4K on launch in February 2017, then your device will have cost you less than £1.65 a month. This is based on 60 months of ownership, with the device purchased at £99 where we promised 5 years of support, due to expire in February 2022.

Your device, as of writing, is still supported and maintained. As you've likely noticed, we have extended support for the device and give it our utmost attention, with substantial video stack improvements during this period.

This isn't changing.

But what's changing is the price of our flagship device.

Our price hasn't increased since 2017, even when we launched the new Vero 4K + with Gigabit Ethernet.

Technology typically operates in a deflationary environment. Prices go down, and performance goes up. However, the last few years have been an exception. We've faced a number of challenges:

  • Semi-conductor shortages - with the spot price of RAM, eMMC and SoCs rising substantially.
  • Increased shipping costs - both from our manufacturers and to our customers.
  • Increased energy and packaging material costs - the cost of a cardboard box, or environmentally friendly void fill that we use, has doubled.

Out of respect to our customers, we've held our prices. We've held them because we hoped that these increases would be temporary, and with everything else going up, we wanted to proudly hold our prices for as long as we could.

This is no longer sustainable. Our hand is forced and to guarantee OSMC's future we need to increase this cost.

As a result, from Tuesday 6th December* - the price of Vero 4K + will be increased to £129. So while we'd like to announce a Black Friday deal or offer a discount as we have done so previously, we will not be able to do so. Effectively in announcing our price increase, we are offering our discount to customers now.

OSMC will stay committed to providing long term support for its products. We stand firmly behind our devices, as well as others. In the past, we have provided strong support for devices that we don't even manufacture, such as the original Apple TV -- which we supported for almost a decade after the last official update. When we control the software and the hardware -- as we do with Vero -- we can achieve so much more.

OSMC will continue to support Vero 4K/4K+ and Kodi v20 (Nexus) support is guaranteed. We are also working on upstream kernel support (with thanks to Christian Hewitt for original upstream DTS commits) to ensure that the device has a very long life and will be supported by modern Linux kernels.

Thanks for your understanding and support

* - the 6th December date is based approximately on current stock and order volume. This will be brought forward if the batch ships out faster.