We all know by now (or at least should know) that NVIDIA is producing the graphics brain power behind the Zune HD and it's wonderful touch screen. Because it is being powered by the radically new NVIDIA Tegra ultra low power HD processor, the Zune is able to deliver on-the-go access to HD Video, Web Browser, Music and Photos with an exceptional battery life. With the capability to finally be able to view websites through a wifi connection on the Zune as well as a nice new touch screen, many people, my self included, are looking at this as a big contender for the Ipod. Microsoft has finally heard the voices of the people to include such software in the Zune OS.

The NVIDIA Tegra HD processor will allow you to be able to enjoy 720P HD content on your HDTV through the Zune HD, however, you will need to purchase the HDTV connector to be able to view the HD content on the HDTV. Are you sick of hearing HD yet?! Good cause I got more. The Zune also down-scales the video on the player it's self to fit a resolution of 480x272 which is not HD...obviously. This is just for the Zune screen and not the HDTV connection which, again, gives you the 720P HD quality.

The wifi connection is a great addition to any MP3 player as you don't need to have a wireless plan through your favorite cell provider. I'm sure they would be more than happy to have an opportunity to charge for that supposed "fast" 3G service. I have that service on my cell phone and while it's ok, it's not incredibly fast. Then again, I don't really use it that often to see it's true potential so I can't give realistic feedback on the 3G network at this point in time. The wifi connection, however, is 802.11b/g compatible and supports authentication modes: Open, WEP, WPA, and WPA2 Encryption modes: WEP 64- and 128-bit, TKIP, and AES.

Moving on to the touch screen, it is very unique and with a 3.3 inch screen it provides a 16:9 aspect ratio with a resolution of 480x272 and a Scratch-resistant glass with Touch input capability orientation: Vertical (music) and horizontal (pictures and videos). This is unique in the fact that it uses the newest technology called OLED. OLED's are made from organic (carbon based) materials that emit light when electricity is run through them. Because OLED's do not require a filter to change colors (unlike LCD displays), they are more efficient, simpler to make, and much thinner. OLED's have a great picture quality - brilliant colors, fast response rate and a wide viewing angle. The materials for OLED's were discovered back in 1960, but only in the past 20 years or so have researchers started to actually work on the technology.

With 10x the power efficiency of competition and featuring unprecedented multimedia functionality—including HD 1080p, the Tegra 600 and APX series products deliver the ultimate visual experience on a broad range of connected devices. All while using the smallest, most advanced, and most highly integrated visual computers-on-a-chip. The Tegra design allows for longer battery life and better video quality than ever before. The Zune HD uses the Tegra APX design which is the 720P HD setup.

The APX 2500 applications processor enables Windows Mobile phones with 3D user interfaces and high-definition video while delivering 10 hours of 720p HD playback, as well as HD camcorder and ultra-high-resolution photo imaging capabilities. Nvidia claims the APX 2500 boasts the industry's first HD (720p) playback and capture capability for hand-held devices. The chip features an ultra-low-power GeForce core that is OpenGL ES 2.0 and Microsoft Direct3D Mobile compliant, and Nvidia nPower technology, enabling over 10 hours of high-definition video playback and up to 100 hours of audio.

Battery life on the Zune HD has been tested at 33 hours of continuous music play (wireless off) and up to 8.5 hours of video. Charge time can vary between plugging it in to the PC and plugging in to the AC adapter. Through the PC from complete dead charge to full charge it take approximately 3 hours. For the AC adapter it takes approximately 2 hours.

Audio Support: Windows Media® Audio Standard[4] (WMA) (.wma): Up to 384 Kbps; constant bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) up to 48-kHz sample rate. WMA Pro 2-channel up to 768 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz. WMA Lossless: 2 channel up to 768 kbps and 48 kHz. Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC) (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b ) - .m4a and .m4b files without FairPlay DRM up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz. MP3 (.mp3) - Up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz

Picture Support: JPEG - (.jpg)

Video Support WMV: Windows Media Video (WMV) (.wmv) - Main and Simple Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 10.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Advanced Profile up to L2, 1280x720 up to 30 frames per second, CBR or VBR, up to 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate. Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above stated capabilities at device sync.

Video Support MPEG-4: MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) (.mp4) Part 2 video[4] - Simple Profile up to 2.5 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD MPEG-4 files at device sync

Video Support H.264: Baseline Profile + bframes, up to 10 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). 1280x720 up to 30 frames per second, up to Level 3.1 and 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate. Zune software will transcode HD H.264 files above stated capabilities at device sync.

• Video Support DVR-MS: DVR-MS[5] - Zune software will trans-code at time of sync
• Audio Output: Analog Audio Out, Optical Digital Audio Out (requires additional dock, sold separately)
• Video Ouput: HDMI or Composite (requires additional dock, sold separately)
• Radio: Built-in FM/HD RadioTM[5]
• Included Accessories: Headphones, Zune Sync Cable, Three pairs of foam earpiece covers
• Ports: Connector port, 3.5mm Headphone jack
• Languages: English, French, Spanish

Pre orders started on the 13th of Aug and can be done at Amazon.com, Best Buy, Walmart and Microsoft. The Product is to be released on the 15th of September. Both 16GB and 32GB capacities of Zune HD will be available in five different colors with the option to customize your player with one of 10 new engravings designed by guest artists. The Zune HD will have a price tag for the 16GB at $219.99 (estimated retail price); and the 32GB at $289.99 (estimated retail price).