The Zune HD is an upcoming Portable Media Player in the Zune product family by Microsoft rumored to be released September 8, 2009. The price is reported to be around $220.

The Zune HD will be using the Tegra chip, allowing it to play back 720p video through the optional HDMI Zune dock on a high-definition television. Otherwise content will be scaled down to 480×272 pixels on the player’s screen.

On May 26, 2009, the Zune HD was confirmed by Microsoft for release in fall 2009, and a trailer appeared on the Xbox Live Video Service on June 1, 2009, during the E3 2009 Microsoft Press Conference.

CNET News’ Ina Fried got an up close look at the touchscreen Zune HD that Microsoft plans to ship this fall.

They also announced that the current Zune Marketplace and Xbox Live Video Service will be merged to create Zune Video, bringing the Zune brand to Xbox Live in 7 countries; the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Ireland and Spain.

It will be the first PMP with a built-in HD Radio tuner. It will also include an HD video output, multi-touch OLED screen, Wi-Fi, and a browser based on Internet Explorer Mobile 6 optimized for multi-touch use.

Zune HD Specs

Manufacturer Microsoft

Type Portable Media Player

Release date September 8, 2009

Media Flash Memory

Operating system Windows CE

CPU NVIDIA Tegra

Display 3.3″ 480×272 16:9 OLED

Graphics NVIDIA Tegra

Input Multi-touch Touchscreen

Connectivity USB, Wi-Fi, HDMI

Online services Zune Marketplace