FOR-A

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 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 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; 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 FA-410P (1982) to modern multi-format processors
• Frame Synchronizers – Including the award-winning 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)

Model	Year	Description
FA-410P/410	1982–83	First FA series TBC (1,500+ units sold)
FA-710	1983	Dual-channel TBC
FA-400/400P	1984	First slim 1RU economical TBC
FA-450/450P	1986	First 8-bit TBC developed by FOR-A
FA-800	1986	Sakura R&D Center era products
FA-300/300P	1987	Versatile multipurpose TBC (~8,800 units sold)
FA-310/310P	1989	Best-selling model (13,000+ units); flew to Mir

Digital Era (1991–2001)

Model	Year	Description
FA-330/330P	1991	TBC with noise reduction
FA-510	1992	Digital comb filter TBC
FA-810	1992	10-bit frame synchronizer
FA-30/30P	1993	Transcoding TBC (composite/Y/C/RGB/component)
FA-120/120AC	1996	Half-size economical TBC
FA-140/140P	1997	Composite/YC/Component to SD-SDI
FA-820/820P	1998	Analog + digital component I/O
FA-830/830P	1998	FA-820 with noise reduction
FA-350 series	2001	Digital era redesign (30th anniversary)

FA-350 Series (2001)

Model	Description
FA-350	Analog composite I/O
FA-360	Analog component I/O
FA-370	SD-SDI I/O
FA-390	SD-SDI with audio I/O
FA-395/FA-395A	Expanded audio capabilities

Compact TBCs (2003–2007)

Model	Year	Description
FA-125	2003	10-bit composite + Y/C I/O
FA-128	2005	World's first 14-bit processor (still unique)
FA-147	2007	Enhanced SD-SDI interfaces

All-in-One HD Processors (2006–2017)

Model	Year	Description
FA-9000	2006	First all-in-one HD processor; NAB STAR Award
FA-9100	2008	FA-9000 successor
FA-9500	2010	Industry standard; web browser control
FA-1010	2013	10-channel processor; NAB STAR Award
FA-505	2014	5-channel processor
FA-9600	2017	4K/12G/HDR/WCG flagship

Notable Achievements

• Mir Space Station (1990) – A customized 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 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 FA-9000 (2006) and 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

• FOR-A Official Website
• FOR-A Product History – Processors