PureVideo, a video search service that I covered in October has just released a wide variety of new features. Some are more intriguing than others: Let’s take a look.

• MyPureVideo (beta) is a new start page designed for folks interested in the online video charts. The page highlights the top video across nine different channels, however you can also add content that is not video related, either from their library or an RSS feed. It’s an interesting endeavor, but it is just another addition to the plethora of start pages that are already available.
• The research channel is going to offer top videos from academic feeds such as the History Channel, NASA, NOVA, and A&E.
• The PureVideo Toolbar will (in Web 1.0 style) offer users a toolbar with a few things they do need and lots that they don’t.

My experience with new media websites has been very spoiled. I generally get exposed (and stay with) the best of the best, and quite frankly I don’t see PureVideo fitting in with this class. The potential is there, certainly the technology is in place, however I fear that PureVideo is ceasing before they reach their full potential for innovation. They’re just copying every popular web service online: adding a toolbar, a customizable home page, and other services that are unrelated to their core mission. It’s unfortunate too, because there is no single provider of internet-wide video search.

Personally, I’d suggest that PureVideo drop their homepage and toolbars. As a user, those sites hold no value to me. Instead, why not offer widgets for other popular start pages like Google Personalized Homepage or Netvibes? That way users don’t have to be locked in to PureVideo’s service.

All in all, it’s nice to see that PureVideo is interested in expanding their service, however I don’t think they are doing it the best possible way.