This document provides a summary and analysis of the advanced search features of several movie and video websites, including Fandango, Yahoo! Movies, Google Videos, IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, and Amazon. The summary focuses on grouping and organization of search parameters, refinement mechanisms, and overall usability of the advanced search interfaces on each site. The document was written by Mrinal Sharma, a UI designer, as part of a competitive survey of advanced search features.

1. Moviefone Advanced Search
>> Competitive Survey
Version 2.0
By Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer, BDC
November 17, 2008

2. AOL UI DESIGN
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PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
FANDANGO SEARCH
http://www.fandango.com
Effective grouping
approach
Effective refinement
mechanism by
grouping
parameters into
similar clusters.
The + symbol used
as a list bullet is still
confusing as clicking
on the item navigates
to a new page with
the filtered content.
The + bullet gives the
impression of an
extended tree
structure.

3. AOL UI DESIGN
2
PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
FANDANGO SEARCH
http://www.fandango.com
Helps search better as it seperates the
two core options for which the user may
come to the site from general search.
Aids quick pick-up and browsing of latest
video content

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3
PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
YAHOO! MOVIES ADVANCED MOVIE SEARCH
http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/advsearch/
All Search options on
one single plane.
Well-formed groupings, Controls
helps in quick scanning clearly
visible

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4
PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
GOOGLE VIDEOS ADVANCED VIDEO SEARCH
http://video.google.com/videoadvancedsearch
All Search options on
one single plane (and page)
Placement of control creates a slight
Well-formed emphasis of confusion on it’s applicability to the
important search features. first 4 controls (with blue background)
Single “Search” Button.

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5
PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
IMDB SEARCH
http://www.imdb.com/search
Too many individual search modules.
Highly exapanded
layout, options go
below-the fold

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PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
IMDB POWER SEARCH
http://www.imdb.com/list
Nice step-by-step approach.
Highly usable.

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PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
Nice concise left-panel approach. ROTTEN TOMATOES BROWSE MOVIES
Simple to use with only two types http://www.rottentomatoes.com
of controls - drop-downs and buttons

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PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
HOLLYWOOD.COM ADVANCED SEARCH
http://www.hollywood.com/search.aspx?q=

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PAGE NOVEMBER 17, 2008
Moviefone Advanced Search REFERENCE
NUMBER Competitive Survey
Mrinal Sharma
UI Designer
FILMS AND TV ADVANCED MOVIE/ACTOR SEARCH
http://www.filmsandtv.com/advsearch.php
AMAZON ADVANCED SEARCH
http://www.amazon.com/gp/browse.html?node=241586011