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Filed under: Internet, Video, Web

IMDb celebrates its 19th birthday

IMDb 19The Internet Movie Database turned 19 yesterday. If you're scratching your head wondering how the IMDb can be older than the web, you'll notice that the first initial is I, not W. That's because the iconic destination for information about films and TV shows actually predates the web.

In fact, the earliest version of the technology behind the IMDb was a set of scripts for searching the USENET group rec.arts.movies. The IMDb wasn't even named yet, but it was already a work in progress on October 17, 1990.

The web site today is a bit more full featured. Not only can you get biographies for actors, directors, writers, and producers, as well as biographies, filmographies, and brief descriptions of movies, but you can also get TV listings, movie rankings, entertainment news, message boards, and the ability to watch some movies and TV shows from the site.

[via TechCrunch]

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services, web 2.0

IMDB adds video: Full length TV shows, movies

IMDB videos
For years, the Internet Movie Database has been the go-to spot for information about movies, TV shows, actors, directors, and all sorts of other information related to the entertainment industry. But over the last few years as online video started to take over the web, there was one thing conspicuously absent from IMDB: video. Now that's all changed, as IMDB's parent company Amazon has rolled out a major update which lets users watch over 6,000 videos from sources like Hulu, CBS, and independent filmmakers.

There are a few things that I really like about the new service. While many videos are slapped up on the site using an embeddable player from Hulu, IMDB is the first site I've seen that lets you watch these embedded videos in full screen. And it's nice being able to find videos right next to the images and other media that pop up when you're searching for information about a movie or TV show.

On the other hand, this is pretty much the only way to find videos. While there's a new landing page for IMDB video with featured movies and TV episodes, there's no way to search the entire site just for videos. So if you want to see a list of shows in a particular genre or from a particular network, you're better off just going to Hulu.

Filed under: Internet, Video

Comcast launches Fancast internet video portal (again)

Fancast
Comcast has officially launched its online video portal Fancast, you know the same web site the company kinda launched last August? What's different this time around is that Comcast is building out a new plan called "Project Infinity" to make video on demand available via the web, your set top box, or pretty much anywhere else you want it. Oh yeah, and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts is speaking at CES this week and he needs something to talk about.

All kidding aside, Fancast is starting to look pretty interesting. When it launched, the site didn't have much content, and was more of an IMDB competitor than a go-to spot for online video. But now thanks to partnerships with Hulu and CBS, you can watch thousands of hours of TV shows and movies at Fancast. Eventually you'll also be able to schedule your personal video recorder from the website, although it's not yet clear if that feature will apply just to Comcast customers.

[via NewTeeVee]

Filed under: Internet, Video, Web services

Comcast launches Fancast media portal

Fancast
Comcast has launched Fancast, a new online media portal that's best described as an IMDB challenger with way more multimedia, and a generally less useful interface.

Fancast does have some good ideas. You can type in the name of an actor, movie, TV show, or director and Fancast pulls up a biography, photos, and videos. You can also buy movie tickets through Comcast-owned Fandango or play "six degrees," a game where you can try to connect actors to other projects.

In time, Comcast plans to add full length TV episodes and movies to the site.

But IMDB thrives for much the same reason as Craigslist. Although there are pictures and some links to videos on IMDB, it's clean design makes it extraordinarily easy to navigate. We can't really say the same or Fancast. If you want to find out every movie that an actor has ever been in, we'd recommend going to IMDB, not Fancast. If you want to buy movie tickets, you can probably skip Fancast and go right to Fandango or Moviefone.

[via paidContent]

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