Maddyhome Forums

I would like to add my movie collection but not all my movies are on DVD (some are downloads). For those I can't use the barcode scan method. I would be great to be able to enter a movie name and then do a imdb search to collect the remaining data (including the cover). Hope to see this in a future release.

This can already be done but through Amazon, not IMDB. Begin by adding a new item as if you were going to scan a barcode. But instead of tapping the barcode icon at the bottom, tap the search icon to its left. Amazon is searched with the provided text.

Let me know if that works for you or not.

This helps in some cases. It doesn't work though in the situation of a movie that is not yet available at Amazon. IMDB is much more up to date and also has data of movies that are not yet released on Disc. The ones that I would like to have (see) but don't own yet.

Looking into the possibility of accessing IMDB is on my TODO list. I need to see if IMDB provides access to 3rd party apps and if they do, do they allow access by commercial apps? Once I verify that information, I can then consider adding IMDB support to MyStuff2. I have no idea if barcode support would work with IMDB.

Keep in mind that MyStuff2 is a generalized database application. It is not just for movies. It is a lot of work to integrate access to an outside data service. Amazon was chosen because it provides robust access from 3rd party apps and it covers a wide range of products. IMDB is just movies. But it is on my list.

Thanks.

Great to hear that accessing of IMDB is on your TODO list. I suppose barcode support would not work with IMDB since not all movies in their database are released yet.

The fact that MyStuff2 is a generalized database application is THE reason that I bought the app. 1 app for all my stuff. I do hope you see the added value of IMDB integration.

This discussion made me curious so I went to imdb.com and found the following:

http://www.imdb.com/help/show_leaf?usedatasoftware

In summary it appears that I can't integrate MyStuff2 with IMDB. On top of this IMDB does not provide any direct access to their data from 3rd party apps.

This surprises me because I'm using DVDpedia (www.bruji.com/dvdpedia/) on my Mac for my movie collection. In this program I can type in a title and all the data (including the cover) is imported from IMDB (or Amazon or several other international DVD sites). I don't know how they do it or if they even are allowed but it works. Maybe you can have a look at it?

As noted on the link I referenced, IMDB does allow you to download a copy of their data for personal, non-commercial use. In my searching I found a site or two that provide a way to search and access a copy of that data. From what I have seen this goes against the terms of service from IMDB. And commercial apps like DVDpedia that make use of this (or similar) service are also violating the IMDB terms of service.

I'm not very keen on adding a bunch of functionality to MyStuff2 that 1) depends on an unsupported 3rd party service to access yet another 3rd party (IMDB) service's data, and 2) Most likely violates the terms of service of IMDB.

If and when IMDB provides official access to their data and allows commercial use of their data I will be much happier about hooking it into MyStuff2.

I completely understand.
I didn't knew how they did it so I thought I just mention it to you.
Hopefully IMDB changes it's mind.
Thanks for looking in to it!

I'll keep an eye on this and look into appropriate possibilities in the future. Thanks.