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{{Manufacturer}}
'''FOR-A Company Limited''' (株式会社朋栄, ''Kabushikigaisha Hōei'') is a Japanese manufacturer of professional broadcast video and audio equipment. Founded in 1971, FOR-A has become a world leader in time base correctors, frame synchronizers, video switchers, and signal processing equipment.
 
== History ==
 
FOR-A was established on October 21, 1971, by Keizo Kiyohara in Tokyo, Japan. The company's first product was the VTG-32, a worldwide video timer, which helped establish FOR-A Corporation of America in California.
 
In 1977, FOR-A produced the FVW-900 video writer. The company then entered the TBC market with the [[FOR-A FA-410P|FA-410P]] in 1982—the first model in what would become the legendary FA series of signal processors.
 
=== Origin of the "FA" Name ===
 
The "FA" designation used in FOR-A signal processor model names originates from a collaboration between FOR-A and an American engineer who guided early TBC development. The "F" comes from FOR-A and the "A" from the engineer's name. This engineer hosted FOR-A representatives at his home when development of the FA-410P began. Although a prototype was ready for IBC 1981, unresolved cooling issues forced the team to turn the unit off between booth visitors. Once temperature characteristics were improved, the final product achieved sales of over 1,500 units.
 
=== Expansion and Growth ===
 
* '''1985''' – Sakura Research & Development Center opened in Chiba Prefecture, focusing on frame synchronization capabilities
* '''1988''' – FOR-A Corporation of Canada established in Toronto
* '''1989''' – Sakura R&D Center expansion completed
* '''1990''' – Customized [[FOR-A FA-310|FA-310P]] sent to Mir space station for TBS broadcast coverage
* '''1991''' – R&D Center opened in Sapporo City, Hokkaido
* '''1992''' – Video Gainesville Inc. (Florida, USA) acquired
* '''1995''' – FOR-A (UK) Limited established in London
* '''1996''' – FOR-A Italia S.r.l. established in Milan
* '''1998''' – Headquarters moved to Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
* '''2001''' – 30th anniversary; [[FOR-A FA-350|FA-350 series]] introduced with younger engineers leading development
* '''2004''' – FOR-A Corporation of Korea established in Seoul
 
== Products ==
 
FOR-A manufactures a wide range of professional broadcast equipment including:
 
* '''Time Base Correctors''' – The FA series, from the original [[FOR-A FA-410P|FA-410P]] (1982) to modern multi-format processors
* '''Frame Synchronizers''' – Including the award-winning [[FOR-A FA-9000|FA-9000]] series
* '''Video Switchers''' – Production switchers for broadcast and live event applications
* '''High Frame Rate Cameras''' – 4K variable-rate slow-motion digital video cameras
* '''Multi-Viewers''' – Multi-channel display solutions
* '''HD/SD Converters''' – Up/down/cross conversion equipment
* '''Virtual Studio Systems''' – Including the digiWarp system (1997)
 
== FA Series Signal Processors ==
 
The FA series represents over 35 years of FOR-A signal processor development, from analog TBCs to modern 4K/HDR processors.
 
=== Early Models (1982–1989) ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Model !! Year !! Description
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-410P|FA-410P/410]] || 1982–83 || First FA series TBC (1,500+ units sold)
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-710|FA-710]] || 1983 || Dual-channel TBC
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-400|FA-400/400P]] || 1984 || First slim 1RU economical TBC
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-450|FA-450/450P]] || 1986 || First 8-bit TBC developed by FOR-A
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-800|FA-800]] || 1986 || Sakura R&D Center era products
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-300|FA-300/300P]] || 1987 || Versatile multipurpose TBC (~8,800 units sold)
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-310|FA-310/310P]] || 1989 || Best-selling model (13,000+ units); flew to Mir
|}
 
=== Digital Era (1991–2001) ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Model !! Year !! Description
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-330|FA-330/330P]] || 1991 || TBC with noise reduction
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-510|FA-510]] || 1992 || Digital comb filter TBC
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-810|FA-810]] || 1992 || 10-bit frame synchronizer
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-30|FA-30/30P]] || 1993 || Transcoding TBC (composite/Y/C/RGB/component)
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-120|FA-120/120AC]] || 1996 || Half-size economical TBC
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-140|FA-140/140P]] || 1997 || Composite/YC/Component to SD-SDI
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-820|FA-820/820P]] || 1998 || Analog + digital component I/O
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-830|FA-830/830P]] || 1998 || FA-820 with noise reduction
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-350|FA-350 series]] || 2001 || Digital era redesign (30th anniversary)
|}
 
=== FA-350 Series (2001) ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Model !! Description
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-350|FA-350]] || Analog composite I/O
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-360|FA-360]] || Analog component I/O
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-370|FA-370]] || SD-SDI I/O
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-390|FA-390]] || SD-SDI with audio I/O
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-395|FA-395]]/[[FOR-A FA-395A|FA-395A]] || Expanded audio capabilities
|}
 
=== Compact TBCs (2003–2007) ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Model !! Year !! Description
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-125|FA-125]] || 2003 || 10-bit composite + Y/C I/O
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-128|FA-128]] || 2005 || World's first 14-bit processor (still unique)
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-147|FA-147]] || 2007 || Enhanced SD-SDI interfaces
|}
 
=== All-in-One HD Processors (2006–2017) ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Model !! Year !! Description
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-9000|FA-9000]] || 2006 || First all-in-one HD processor; NAB STAR Award
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-9100|FA-9100]] || 2008 || FA-9000 successor
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-9500|FA-9500]] || 2010 || Industry standard; web browser control
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-1010|FA-1010]] || 2013 || 10-channel processor; NAB STAR Award
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-505|FA-505]] || 2014 || 5-channel processor
|-
| [[FOR-A FA-9600|FA-9600]] || 2017 || 4K/12G/HDR/WCG flagship
|}
 
== Notable Achievements ==
 
* '''Mir Space Station''' (1990) – A customized [[FOR-A FA-310|FA-310P]] was sent to the Mir space station aboard a Soviet spacecraft for Japanese broadcaster TBS. FOR-A modified the unit with a lightweight aluminum enclosure and silicone-mounted components for vibration resistance. The unit performed flawlessly.
 
* '''World's First 14-bit Processor''' (2005) – The [[FOR-A FA-128|FA-128]] featured the world's first 14-bit digital encoder/decoder. It remains the only 14-bit processor of its kind on the market.
 
* '''Multiple NAB Awards''' – The [[FOR-A FA-9000|FA-9000]] (2006) and [[FOR-A FA-1010|FA-1010]] (2013) both won "STAR Award" recognition from TV Technology USA magazine at NAB.
 
== Global Presence ==
 
FOR-A maintains subsidiaries and offices worldwide:
 
* '''Americas''' – FOR-A Corporation of America (California), FOR-A Corporation of Canada (Toronto)
* '''Europe''' – FOR-A (UK) Limited (London), FOR-A Italia S.r.l. (Milan)
* '''Asia-Pacific''' – FOR-A Corporation of Korea (Seoul), offices in Hong Kong, India
* '''Middle East & Africa''' – Regional representation
 
== External Links ==
 
* [https://www.for-a.com/ FOR-A Official Website]
* [https://www.for-a.com/history/history_processor.html FOR-A Product History – Processors]
 
[[Category:Manufacturers]]
[[Category:Japanese companies]]
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