FOR-A Company Limited
株式会社朋栄
TypePrivate
IndustryVideo and Audio Technology for Broadcast and Film
Founded21 October 1971
HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
Key people
Keizo Kiyohara, President and Founder
ProductsVideo switchers
Virtual studios
Frame synchronizers
Multi-Viewers
Number of employees
200 (500 total within FOR-A Group)
Websitewww.for-a.com

FOR-A Company Limited (株式会社朋栄, Kabushikigaisha Hōei) is a Japanese manufacturer of professional broadcast video and audio equipment. Founded more than 50 years ago, FOR-A has spread globally, with subsidiaries in America, Canada, Korea, Italy, United Kingdom, India, Hong Kong, Middle East and Africa.

FOR-A manufactures 4K variable-rate, slow-motion digital video cameras,[1] digital video switchers, signal processing equipment, broadcast graphics products (such as virtual processors and studios), multi-viewers, frame synchronizers and time base correctors, HD/SD converters, and video stabilizers.

History

FOR-A was established on October 21, 1971, by Keizo Kiyohara in Tokyo, Japan. Its first product was the VTG-32, a worldwide video timer, which allowed for the establishment of FOR-A Corporation of America in California. In 1977, after producing the FVW-900 (a video writer), the company went on to manufacture the FA-410P, a time-based corrector. From there, FOR-A went on to open locations in Canada, England, Italy, China, and Korea. By the 1990s, FOR-A was a leading developer of DVE manipulation units, character generators, Time Base correctors, and Frame Rate Converters. In 1994, their character generator (the VWS-100) was chosen for official production display use at the Nagano Olympic Games. FOR-A recently also developed the instant replay and mark entry used by the International Skating Union at all major figure skating events, including the Olympics.

Company Timeline

1970 – VTG-32 produced.
1974 – FOR-A Corporation of America established in California.
1977 – FVW-900 produced, a video writer allowing for freehand drawing on the screen.
1981 – FA-410 Produced, widely considered the best TBC on the market at that time.
1985 – FOR-A Research and Development Center opened in Sakura City, Chiba.
1986 – First DVE Manipulation Unit Produced
1988 – FOR-A Corporation of Canada established in Toronto.
1989 – Sakura R&D Center Expansion Completed
1991 – R&D Center opened in Sapporo City, Hokkaido.
1992 – Video Gainesville Inc. (Florida, USA) acquired to establish overseas development center and expand production.
1993 – VWS-100 selected for official production display use at Nagano Olympic Games
1994 - PC board assembly factory opened at Sakura R&D Center.
1995 - FOR-A (UK) Limited established in London (England).
1996 - FOR-A Italia S.r.l. established in Milan (Italy).
1997 - digiWarp designed to add virtual studio systems to product lineup.
1998 - Headquarters moved to Ebisu in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Japan).
1998 - Extension expansion of Sakura R&D Center completed.
1999 - 24-hour, 365-day FOR-A service call center established for Japanese market.
2001 - ISO certification of Sakura R&D Center successfully completed.

HD and SD versions of HVS-3000 (2M/E Digital Video Switcher) Debuts to acclaim at IBC2001.
New headquarters building completed in Ebisu in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Japan).
Special camera related sales and development center completed on Sakura R&D grounds.

2004 - FOR-A Corporation of Korea established in Seoul.
2010 - Introduced LTR-100HS Video Archive Recorder with LTO-5 and LTFS at NAB trade show (NAB-2010)

Associated Companies

  • FOR-A Corporation of America
  • FOR-A Latin America, Incorporated
  • FOR-A Corporation of Canada
  • FOR-A UK Limited
  • FOR-A Italia S.r.l
  • FOR-A Corporation of Korea
  • EXA International Co., Ltd.
  • FOR-A MFG. Co., Ltd.
  • FOR-A System Service Co., Ltd.
  • WIZ Co., Ltd.
  • Towa Air Transport System Ltd.
  • FOR-A KIKAKU Co., Ltd.
  • VIF Co., Ltd.
  • Idea Institute Inc.
  • Vanguard International Foods Co., Ltd.

Trivia

The company name, "FOR-A", is derivative of a similar—sounding Japanese phrase ("Han'ei") meaning "Prosperity with friends".

References

  1. ↑ "4K Variable Frame Rate Camera | FT-ONE-S | Products | FOR-A". Archived from the original on 2015-07-23. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
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