In an effort to get into the hearts, annd eyes of connected tv buyers, Blinkx the video search engine have announced the launch of their own TV API. The API has been designed to provide developers access to blinkx’s rather large index of more than 35 million hours of video content.

The new TV API is quite clever as it retrieves data from the vast amount of video content available across the web but it automatically filters returned data based on the capabilities of the user’s device such as the video formats it supports so that the user is always offered compatible clips.

blinkx’s TV API offers both efficient access to a vast, diverse source of online content from top broadcasters and media companies, and can also help solve the navigation challenge that is inherent in the lean-back experience of Connected TV.

Based on technology that was perfected over 12 years at Cambridge University, blinkx uses a combination of patented conceptual search with speech and image recognition software to understand rich media more thoroughly than any other solution available today.

This understanding of the content enables blinkx to deliver unrivaled discovery, personalization and theres recommendation functionality also  which is needed to a successful user experience in the Connected TV world.

“blinkx is an unparalleled source for online video search and discovery through any platform. The blinkx Web API was launched five years ago and today accounts for two-thirds of our global search volume, but mobile and TV are coming on strong,” said Suranga Chandratillake, the founder and CEO of blinkx.

“We introduced our mobile API last summer, and already it has generated significant traction with partners like Samsung and EVRI. Providing an API for TV brings blinkx into the living-room and enables our partners to tap a flourishing audience as more consumers access Web video from their TVs. In addition to search, our technology offers personalization, discovery and recommendation capabilities to integrate Web video into the Connected TV experience functionality that’s critical in the lean back TV experience, when users are less inclined to type out search queries.”

This new API also enables blinkx to increase its distribution footprint across more screens and drive millions of new searches through its engine. blinkx already has several significant partners in the TV space including Amino Communications, known for its award-winning IPTV and Hybrid set-top boxes, as well as Belgacom and Miniweb.

These along with other companies are all using blinkx’s vast video index and software to deliver a more successful search, navigation and personalization experience for their customers.

Of course many may ask, “why bother”. Youtube have every video you could want and more running on every connected device already. But Blinkx claim to have 35 million hours of content and do carry a number of tv shows. And if they can source any different, new or unique content, then they may get the viewers.

Latest TV searches:

blinkx video, blinkx api

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