FOR-A will also hold a technology sneak preview just before the start of NAB, “FOR-A Connect,” on Saturday, April 5.
In response to the growing demand for cost-effective and flexible live video production, FOR-A is set to introduce its next-generation platform, FOR-A IMPULSE, at the NAB Show 2025 in April. This solution consolidates multiple production functions into a single host machine, eliminating the need for dedicated devices while maintaining high-quality video production. FOR-A America will showcase the new platform at Booth N707 during the event, which takes place from April 6-9 in Las Vegas.
FOR-A IMPULSE (Integrated Media Platform with UnLimited StructurE) integrates essential production functions such as signal processing, multi-viewing, switching, graphics, audio mixing and media playback into software-based nodes. Operators can intuitively connect these nodes using the system’s graph editor, allowing for flexible and easily reconfigurable production pipelines.
Satoshi Kanemura, President, FOR-A America, said: “By creating an efficient and flexible production environment, FOR-A IMPULSE will have a major impact on live production workflows. Until recently, live production has required purchasing large-scale, physical equipment and combining a variety of devices. We are introducing a fully software-based platform that’s easy to change as you like depending on the application.
“As the amount of video production continues to skyrocket, there are several issues we wanted to address immediately: the shortage of technical talent, the efficient use of equipment resources, and streamlining workflows. Since our design philosophy is to create ‘Software Defined’ technology, we created a solution that includes all the functions needed for video production as software nodes, creating a “Station in a Box” model.”
By consolidating backup and maintenance functions, FOR-A IMPULSE minimises technical burdens and offers an intuitive interface, making it accessible even to users without advanced expertise. Its comprehensive support structure ensures smooth operation through license management and service assistance.
Designed for remote and distributed production, FOR-A IMPULSE allows full control via a web browser, enabling operation from virtually any location. Additionally, hardware panels can be connected for enhanced flexibility, supporting collaboration across multiple locations.
Beyond individual production environments, FOR-A IMPULSE integrates with the Hi-RDS hierarchical RDS solution, facilitating shared resource allocation across different production islands. This capability helps reduce equipment costs and increases productivity by dynamically assigning nodes to various projects based on scheduling needs.
Offering deployment flexibility, FOR-A IMPULSE can operate on-premises, in data centres, or within public cloud environments, giving users strategic control over infrastructure and costs. Future cloud-based deployments will enable a scalable, cost-efficient approach, allowing users to start with lightweight instances and expand as needed. With no vendor lock-in, the platform supports multi-cloud environments, ensuring reliability and redundancy.
FOR-A plans to continuously enhance the FOR-A IMPULSE lineup, introducing updates to the on-premise model along with the development of a new cloud-based solution.
Additionally, FOR-A will host a technology preview event, FOR-A Connect, on April 5 at 3 PM in Room S232 of the South Hall, offering attendees an exclusive first look at the platform ahead of its NAB Show debut.
