Microsoft early this morning set the final launch for the Zune HD. True to leaks, the company's first touchscreen player will ship on September 15th and will come in a 16GB black version for $220 and a 32GB platinum-colored version for $290. Pre-orders start later today through Amazon (16GB, 32GB) as well as Best Buy, Walmart and Microsoft's own company store. Best Buy stores in major US cities will also have in-store previews on the 22nd and 23rd.

The new Zune is the first major update to the player line in two years and centers on an NVIDIA Tegra APX processor and its HD playback. Videos can play in 720p natively on the device without downsizing the clip, albeit only at the 3.3-inch display's 480x272 resolution; an optional dock (not yet priced) puts video out through HDMI at its full quality. Microsoft also adds a number of other significant firsts for itself and in some cases for anyone, including a multi-touch OLED screen and HD Radio tuning. The organic, backlight-free display gives the Zune HD 33 hours of music playback and 8.5 hours of video. electronista