IMDB Lookup

Overview

How to lookup movie details from IMDb (or other) webstie.

Introduction

Any time you have selected a video in a list or other layout, you can choose to download and access more details about the video, particularly movie files, from IMDB or even many other web sources.

You can select, and even set the priorities, of the sites you wish to lookup in Configuration > Videos > Database settings. Many Movie Info Grabbers, are provided by MediaPortal users, so there may be one for your local region, to access data in your native language. You do not have to update MediaPortal to get new grabbers, you can simply update them in Configuration.

Of course, you do not have to lookup each video or movie one by one. If you prefer, you can lookup all your movies and have all the data instantly available. This also enables you to use the database views, such as Titles, Genres, etc.  However, if you do lookup a movie using Shares view, it will automatically be added to your Video database, and that movie can be viewed in the database views. The data will be saved for your future reference, you don't have to look it up again.

How to Lookup Movie Info

Select a video in the list, or any layout you choose. On a keyboard you can press F3 and lookup will automatically begin.  On your remote, press the Info/More button to receive the context menu:

Then select the IMDB option. (don't worry it will use the grabber you have selected in Configuration). 

Of course, if  you prefer, you can configure a button on your remote to automatically lookup your movies, so you don't have to use the menu.

Once you select IMDB, it will search for movies matching your filename.

And display a list of possible matches for you to select the one you wish:

Don't worry if your filename does not produce a valid match, you can always select the Manual button and edit or enter the movie title you wish using the Virtual Keyboard::

Viewing Video Info

Once you select a movie and the information is downloaded, it will display on the Video Info screen.

You can do a lot on this screen:

• Play  - plays the video of course
• Plot  - displays the plot information
• Cast  - displays the actors or cast information
• Review - displays the user review
• Refresh  - will lookup the data again, in case more info or covers have been added to IMDB or your movie info source
• Watched - lets you toggle the watched status of your movie manually
• Image - allows you to select which image you wish to display
• Disc/HD  - lets you select the source of the file (if you have more than one)

You may return to this screen any time you wish by using the F3 key or Info/More remote button.