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FOR-A

is a Japanese manufacturer of professional broadcast video and audio equipment. Founded in 1971, 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, 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.<br/> 1974 – FOR-A Corporation of America established in California.<br/> 1977 – FVW-900 produced, a video writer allowing for freehand drawing on the screen. <br/> 1981 – FA-410 Produced, widely considered the best TBC on the market at that time.<br/> 1985 – FOR-A Research and Development Center opened in Sakura City, Chiba.<br/> 1986 – First DVE Manipulation Unit Produced <br/> 1988 – FOR-A Corporation of Canada established in Toronto.<br/> 1989 – Sakura R&D Center Expansion Completed<br/> 1991 – R&D Center opened in Sapporo City, Hokkaido.<br/> 1992 – Video Gainesville Inc. (Florida, USA) acquired to establish overseas development center and expand production.<br/> 1993 – VWS-100 selected for official production display use at Nagano Olympic Games<br/> 1994 - PC board assembly factory opened at Sakura R&D Center.<br/> 1995 - FOR-A (UK) Limited established in London (England). <br/> 1996 - FOR-A Italia S.r.l. established in Milan (Italy). <br/> 1997 - digiWarp designed to add virtual studio systems to product lineup.<br/> 1998 - Headquarters moved to Ebisu in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (Japan). <br/> 1998 - Extension expansion of Sakura R&D Center completed. <br/> 1999 - 24-hour, 365-day FOR-A service call center established for Japanese market.<br/> 2001 - ISO certification of Sakura R&D Center successfully completed. <br/>

: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.<br/> 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

External links