The TV Guide has been virtually obsolete the past 6-7 years. With the Internet and Digital Cable channel guides no one feels the need to sift through a paper pamphlet and schedule out the shows they want to watch. After 53 years of deciphering standard television, TV Guide has decided to take on Internet video as well.

A test version of the service, which will allows users to search for clips and full versions of TV shows, will be available next month; a full-scale launch is planned for September. TV Guide has decided to focus on the standard network television offerings, only indexing those videos available from networks like ABC, FOX, and CBS, rather than indexing the millions of user created videos from services like YouTube and Revver.

“Everybody says, ‘Who’s going to be the TV Guide of online video?’ and we say, why shouldn’t it be us?” said Richard Cusick, senior vice president of digital media at Gemstar-TV Guide. “We’re making a bet, but we think it’s a safe bet and consistent with our mission.”

This move shows promise, as online video is certainly becoming a hot commodity. Last week, News Corp and NBC Universal announced a partnership in which they will be distributing their shows via the Web. Google has also expressed interest in expanding their video search capabilities.

“Today, TV Guide can be better,” Enderle said. “But fast-forward two years from now, and you wonder if TV Guide has the resources to compete with Google long term.”

TV Guide plans to monetize this site by offering advertising within the videos it serves its users.

Update: NewTeeVee landed a beta preview of TV Guide’s Search Engine, codenamed Stingray.