FOR-A to Showcase Live Production Workflow at TAB

FOR-A Corporation of America today announced it will showcase its live production workflow at this year’s Texas Association of Broadcasters (TAB) show, August 3-4 at the JW Marriott Downtown Austin. The company will showcase some of its latest gear used for studio production and live events, including some of the world’s most high-profile sporting events. Among the line up in the FOR-A booth will be the popular FA-9600 multi-purpose signal processor with its superior color matching and color correction capabilities. Joining the FA-9600 will be the 4K-capable HVS-490 video switcher, FVW-700 4K/HD telestrator and the ClassX content creation and graphics playout solution; and the ODYSSEY Insight video server.

“TAB is a premier event for us,” said Satoshi Kanemura, President, FOR-A Corporation of America. “We have the chance to meet a broad range of customers throughout the state. We see a great cross-section of customers from broadcast stations to high-end corporate and university video department producers to live event company representatives. At TAB, we get to show everyone exactly what our system can do that competitive technology cannot, within a very casual, relaxed setting. I’m particularly excited to show off the FA-9600. It’s been a real standout for matching colors within LED walls, which is particularly important for graphics like logos that legally have to be a particular shade. And because it’s not menu-driven, it can be configured easily with just one touch.”

FOR-A has been assisting with the Japanese television broadcasters’ workflow in 8K for the past two years and are doing so with on-going high-profile event where a large number of FOR-A FA-9600 signal processors are utilized. Designed to support live HDR broadcast production, the FA-9600 multi-purpose signal processor supports 3D LUT for advanced color grading and Sony’s SR Live workflow. The unit also provides HDR and Wide Color Gamut support and conversion of multiple formats, including 12G, 4K, 1080p, and HD/SD.

When equipped with optional I/O expansion cards, the HVS-490 supports 40 inputs/18 outputs, 36 inputs/20 outputs, or 32 inputs/22 outputs, including two-channel HDMI outputs. Integrated frame synchronizers and multi-viewers reduce the amount of equipment required for live production. Event memory and macro functions make it easy to setup the switcher quickly for live performances, while support for multiple control panels enables several operators to work on separate tasks. MELite™ technology extends the switcher’s 2 M/Es to 6 M/E performance and eliminates the need for multiple switchers in a multi-monitor staging scenario.

Designed to provide creative on-screen annotation options for sports coverage, weather reports, medical instruction, and more, the FVW-700 telestrator is offered in three models to fit specific needs, including 4K, HDMI, and all-in-one models. Users can draw freehand, as well as straight lines and graphic shapes, with various types of lines, thickness, edge width, and colors. Advanced tools include automatic freehand formation, which uses a noise reduction algorithm to allow sharp angles as well as shaped smooth objects, and edge joining, which uses an edge-rendering algorithm that recognizes edges of lines drawn as outlines of a larger shape and joins them.

The ClassX solution of 2D/3D character generation and live motion graphics and playout software integrates easily with FOR-A video switchers. ClassX’s graphics suite is popular with universities, digital signage, live event, and sports production applications. FOR-A is the exclusive distributor of ClassX in North, Central and South America. The agreement provides broadcasters and live event producers with the ability to create and play out ClassX real-time broadcast graphics integrated with FOR-A video switchers.

ODYSSEY’s Insight Production Server is a multi-channel playout system, available in either two- or four-channel configurations. The server offers a web interface to allow control from any device without prior installation, and it is specifically suited for collaborative work between multiple users and groups, allowing concurrent operation. The video server supports a wide range of wrappers and codecs for recording and playback, including play while recording. Insight’s flexible event processor enables close integration with FOR-A production video switchers, routing switchers, CG generators and other studio equipment to orchestrate event triggering for a seamless production. System options include hardware encoding support and automatic file transform from network and USB devices for recording and playback.