Microsoft and Video Search

November 29, 2011

the revolution in video search continues to arrive, just slowly. Google’s video search continues to improve. The Google TV findability function is due for enhancement. The first go-round was a baffler to many people. Now Engadget reports that “Microsoft Acquires VideoSurf, Promises to Bring Better Video Search and Discovery to Xbox Live.”

VideoSurf, founded in 2006, discovers and analyzes content by focusing on frames of video. Microsoft plans to use its technology to drive search on its Xbox 360’s entertainment platform, accessed via XboxLIVE.

This bid for speedier, more efficient search comes as Microsoft continues to push its console into the center of the living room. We learned from the write up:

In the coming months, Microsoft will bring nearly 40 world-leading TV and entertainment providers to Xbox LIVE. . . . With Kinect, users will be able to easily search and discover content across multiple entertainment providers within Xbox LIVE and then interact with and enjoy content in extraordinary ways using voice search powered by Bing on the Xbox 360.

I have to wonder whether success on the console will spur growth of video search in other quarters. I don’t like video search myself, but it is a big deal for the non-reading, attention deficit crowd. We have to accommodate them, right? Video is a serial information experience. Search is tricky in text. Toss in moving images, and task becomes harder. Text search remains a baffler for many. Video is a step beyond. We’re hopeful.

Channel surfing may not be productive, but it is easy to explain. Finding a specific program remains a challenge. Getting a specific program to display without payment hassles, start and stop rendering, and without time consuming dead ends are hurdles which must be overcome. Maybe Microsoft can resolve the issues which are evident to me.

Cynthia Murrell, November 29, 2011

Comments

One Response to “Microsoft and Video Search”

Damion Bohringer on January 3rd, 2012 7:42 am

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.