Frequently Asked Questions
- What is “X-Ray for Movies & TV”?
X-Ray for Movies & TV is a feature available on Kindle and Wii U devices. - How does it work?
X-Ray for Movies & TV is a new feature available on Kindle and Wii U devices that enables Amazon Instant Video viewers to quickly identify and learn more about the actors in the scene while watching a movie or TV show, simply by tapping the screen. X-Ray for Movies & TV was designed to enrich by embedding IMDb’s unrivaled content into the viewing experience, empowering viewers to answer the perennial question, “Who’s that actor?”, without pausing to look the information up on IMDb.com or launch an IMDb app. - When will more TV shows be added?
We will add X-Ray to more television content each week. - Is X-Ray for Movies & TV available in my region?
X-Ray for Movies & TV is currently available for select Amazon Instant Video titles in the United States and select LOVEFiLM titles in the United Kingdom. - How many titles are enabled with X-Ray for Movies & TV? Why aren’t more available? What criteria did you use to determine the selection of titles for X-Ray?
We used the popularity of titles to determine the initial selection for X-Ray for IMDb. X-Ray is already enabled on thousands of popular Amazon Instant Video movies including Best Picture Oscar® Winners, titles from IMDb’s Top 250 list, box office hits and Amazon Instant Video bestsellers. The selection of titles will continue to grow considerably over time and the vision is to make X-Ray available on every movie and TV show ever created. - How can I launch X-Ray for Movies & TV while watching an Amazon Instant Video?
You can tap the screen or pause the video to launch X-Ray to learn more about actors on the screen. - How can I tell if a video supports X-Ray for Movies & TV?
Look for “Includes X-Ray” on a title’s Amazon Instant Video detail page. - Can I see the X-Ray without owning or renting an Amazon Instant Video title?
No. You can’t view X-Ray for a movie or TV show without owning or renting it through Amazon Instant Video. - Is X-Ray for Movies & TV available for titles that are not part of Prime Instant Videos?
Yes. In addition to Prime Instant titles, X-Ray for Movies & TV is also available for a growing selection of popular movies and TV shows available on Amazon Instant Video. - Can I turn X-Ray off?
X-Ray is always on, but it contextually appears only when you tap on the video. You can close the X-Ray card by tapping anywhere outside the card or by tapping the close button on top right. - When will you launch X-Ray for Movies & TV on other AIV apps including but not limited to the web, iOS and connected devices?
Based on user response and other factors we will evaluate additional platforms from which to help Amazon customers discover and enjoy the X-Ray experience. - How did you put together the elements shown in X-Ray for every title? Did you build the feature in-house or did you contract any of the work?
X-Ray is powered by the most authoritative collection of movie, TV and celebrity content in the world, complied over more than 20 years by IMDb. With more than 130 million data items in its searchable database including more than 4 million cast and crew members, X-Ray is a natural extension of IMDb’s unique assets. - What was the genesis of X-Ray for Movies & TV? How does this fit into IMDb’s long-term business strategy?
IMDb’s mission is to enrich the viewing experience by empowering movie fans to engage with IMDb content anywhere they are including IMDb.com or one of IMDb’s leading mobile entertainment apps (which have been downloaded more than 40 million times worldwide).
IMDb content is now embedded into movie-watching experience, empowering viewers to answer the perennial question, “Who’s that actor?” by accessing IMDb’s photos, bios, filmographies and other contextual information while watching a film. IMDb’s authoritative content is now available at the scene level to make movie and TV watching even better.
With more than 130 million data items in its searchable database including more than 4 million cast and crew members, X-Ray is a natural extension of IMDb’s unique assets and mission.
- Is additional IMDb data now available to Kindle Fire and Wii U owners, beyond the information that is part of the X-Ray experience while watching a movie?
Yes. Amazon has worked with IMDb to offer Kindle Fire and Wii U owners more information than ever before about movies and TV shows. Amazon Instant Video movie and TV detail pages are now enhanced with IMDb’s unrivaled data including cast and crew information, trivia, quotes, goofs and more. - Why isn’t every actor identified in each scene on any title that is “X-Ray Enabled”?
X-Ray for Movies & TV identifies most credited actors and notable cameos for enabled titles.
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