{{Short description|Professional broadcast video and audio equipment}} {{Multiple issues| {{Advert|date=January 2023}} {{citations needed|date=May 2023}} {{Rewrite|requiring to be more detailed|date=October 2024}}}} {{Infobox company | name = FOR-A Company Limited<br>株式会社朋栄 | logo = 200px|FOR-A Logo | type = Private | foundation = 21 October 1971 | location = Tokyo, Japan | key_people = Keizo Kiyohara, President and Founder | num_employees = 200 (500 total within FOR-A Group) | industry = Video and Audio Technology for Broadcast and Film | products = Video switchers<br />Virtual studios<br />Frame synchronizers<br />Multi-Viewers | homepage = [http://www.for-a.com/ www.for-a.com]}}

{{nihongo|'''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 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,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.for-a.com/products/ftones/professional_hs_camera_p.html |title=4K Variable Frame Rate Camera &#124; FT-ONE-S &#124; Products &#124; FOR-A |access-date=2015-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723130731/https://www.for-a.com/products/ftones/professional_hs_camera_p.html |archive-date=2015-07-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 ([https://archive.today/20120904101235/http://www.nabshow.com/2010/ 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== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.for-a.com/ FOR-A Global Official Site]

Category:Electronics companies of Japan Category:Film and video technology Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1971 Category:Electronics companies established in 1971 Category:Japanese brands Category:Japanese companies established in 1971 Category:1992 mergers and acquisitions Category:Shibuya Category:Sakura, Chiba