Q I purchased an HD DVD player after reading your column and read your follow-up regarding the mandatory picture-in-picture and Web features. I tried the picture-in-picture and enjoyed it, and now would like to try the Web-enabled features. Unfortunately, I do not have an Ethernet port in the room with my player. Is there a way to use HD DVD's Web features without running a cable all the way from the other room, and what are the features like?

C. FRANCE, BRIDGEVILLE, PA

A There are two easy ways to add an Ethernet port to any room in your home, for computer or HD DVD use. A wireless Ethernet bridge is a small device with an Ethernet port that connects to your wireless network. They are available for under $50. I recommend these more for computers than HD DVD players.

The other is to use power line Ethernet adapters. These send the signal over your home's electrical wiring. Simply plug an adapter into an outlet near your Ethernet hub, the other by your player, and connect the cables. Because it is wired, it is a more reliable connection than wireless. Ethernet adapter kits are available for under $100. I used D-Link Ethernet power line adapters to connect my own HD DVD player to the Web.

If your player is connected to the Internet, it can automatically download and install firmware updates. Otherwise, you have to burn a CD from a downloaded file, which isn't as convenient. If the updating process is interrupted because of a loss of wireless signal, you can damage or even ruin your player.

All of the supporting studios have released HD DVDs with Web-interactive features. This is a sampling, and because they are on the Web and not on the disc, at any time the studios can add additional content for you to access and enjoy.

Warner Bros. is a co-creator of both the DVD and HD DVD formats and fittingly has incorporated Web interactivity in some very innovative ways. For example, on the new "Harry Potter: Order of the Phoenix" HD DVD you can set up a multihome screening with friends who have Web-connected HD DVD players and a copy of the movie. The person organizing the screening uses their remote to control the action on all the screens, and participants can text each other.

Paramount's "Transformers" allows you to view short clips featuring transforming robotic dinosaurs and VW Beetles (the old ones), download a profiler to learn more about the production and change the menu bar to feature your favorite transformer.

Universal's "The Bourne Ultimatum" has "Be Bourne Spy Training," featuring a spy aptitude test using 20 movie clips.

If you'd like to get a closer look, I recently created some screen shots of Web interactive screens and posted them on my website, www.soundadviceblog.com.