At the IBC show in Amsterdam last week, set-top box manufacturer, Humax, launched its first portable multimedia player (PMP), the Portable PVR HUP-1000. The small-footprint device (20mm thick and weighs less than 300g), which features a 4.3-inch LCD display with 16:9 ratio widescreen, allows end-users to store and watch movies; download and play music and videos; record and play back TV programs, using built-in PVR capabilities; and view digital photos. According to Humax, features of the new box include: a long-life battery, that allows end-users to view two movies or listen to 150 songs back to back and that can be charged via USB, a car adapter or an AC adapter; a mini-B USB device port with USB cable; AV Out to connect it to a TV or set-top; stereo sound; headphones and headphone socket; and 480x272xRGB pixel resolution.
What was once a simple, unidirectional flow of electricity from centralized power plants to passive consumers is evolving into a complex, intelligent network where millions of distributed resources actively participate in grid operations. This transformation, powered by smart grid technologies, represents one of the most significant infrastructure shifts of our time. It promises to reshape how we generate, distribute, and consume energy. At its core, the smart grid represents far more than mere digitization of existing infrastructure. This bi-directional capability is fundamental to understanding why smart grids are becoming the backbone of modern energy systems, facilitating everything from real-time demand response to the integration of renewable energy sources. Smart Grid Market Development By 2030, smart grid technologies are projected to cover nearly half of the global electrical grid, up dramatically from just 24 percent in 2025. This expansion is underpinned by explosive gr...