HD DVD’s most ambitious use yet of its Web-enabled interactivity ...

HD DVD version’s “Live Community Screening” function lets viewers watch the movie together from different locations, and comment simultaneously through the remote controls of their Ethernet- connected players. One disc-owner acts as host, inviting up to three others to join the screening. The host operates all disc functions on all the connected machines, such as Play and Pause, in response to input from guests via text-messages through players’ remote controls, or even e-mail or cellphones, Warner said. The community screening feature isn’t available on Blu-ray versions of the Potter movie, because Ethernet connections aren’t mandated for all Blu-ray players as they have been for HD DVD since its launch. Blu- ray and HD DVD versions of the Potter disc have a $35.99 MSRP. Conventional DVD versions of the Potter movie also feature an innovation. The single-disc version offers the option of downloading a free copy of the movie to PC. With the two-disc version, a compressed copy of the movie is included for free ripping to a PC -- in case a buyer lacks a broadband connection, or wants to avoid download time. Both free-copying methods are part of Warner’s effort to offer consumers new ways to port its content to other devices without having to resort to unauthorized methods like P2P file-sharing. The studio can gauge consumer interest in the copying options and HD DVD community screening because disc buyers must register online to activate them.