FM SYSTEMS

What FM SYSTEMS does

FM Systems is a privately held, founder-owned designer and manufacturer of professional broadcast and CCTV video and audio equipment, founded in 1978 by Frank McClatchie and headquartered in a single facility in the United States. The company offers over 150 products spanning audio/video modulation and demodulation, subcarrier transmission, A/B switching, vertical interval signal insertion, automatic picture rejuvenation, and specialized test and measurement tools including HD Video Format Readers, HD Camera Focus Meters, Power-over-Ethernet measurement devices, and ATU/ARU-2HD audio transport units. Recent product additions include 28 HD-TVI and HD-CVI format products addressing the transition from analog to high-definition coax-based transmission in security and broadcast environments.

The underlying technology is rooted in proprietary RF and analog/digital signal processing, with embedded microcontroller firmware in select products. Notable technical components include proprietary subcarrier/SCPC modulation schemes, vertical interval signal insertion, and automatic picture rejuvenation — capabilities developed and refined over four decades. The company's technical publications, including work by Don McClatchie, contribute to its domain authority in niche broadcast engineering.

FM Systems operates a direct-to-customer business model, selling through e-commerce, telephone, and fax channels with no third-party retail or distribution intermediaries. Individual hardware units are priced in the $205–$765 range, targeting professional broadcast TV, cable TV, satellite, security/CCTV, and professional recording end-markets. The company supports an international customer base with French, Portuguese, and Spanish-language materials. The business is entirely self-funded with no institutional investment, no M&A activity, and no recent funding rounds, reflecting a stable but small-scale founder-led operation.

Name

FM SYSTEMS

Legal name

FM SYSTEMS, INC.

Website

https://fmsystems-inc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

FM Systems is a privately held, founder-owned manufacturer of professional broadcast and CCTV video/audio equipment, founded in 1978. It sells over 150 specialized hardware products — including modulators, signal processors, and test instruments — directly via e-commerce to broadcast, cable, satellite, and security professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Broadcast and CCTV Video/Audio Equipment

NAICS

Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220)

SIC

Radio & Tv Broadcasting & Communications Equipment (3663)

akta.pro primary industry

Live Production Switching & Routing (Vision Mixers, Routers) (MPAHAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Media Transport & Contribution (SRT/RIST, Satellite/IP, Fiber) (MPAHAKAD)

Keywords

• Broadcast video equipment
• CCTV security hardware
• Video switching devices
• RF modulation equipment
• Audio subcarrier products

Headquarters

HQ city

Fountain Valley

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Product Sales: FM Systems generates revenue primarily through the sale of electronic hardware products including video/audio switches, modulators, demodulators, camera guards, relay controllers, and test equipment. Products are sold as one-time purchases with no recurring subscription component.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

FM Systems designs, manufactures, and sells professional video and audio electronic hardware for broadcast, cable, satellite, and CCTV security applications. The portfolio includes video A/B switches, IP network switches, automatic picture rejuvenators, HD video relay control transmitters and receivers, RF subcarrier modulators and demodulators, camera guard supervisory systems, and test equipment. Products are sold as one-time hardware purchases to broadcast facilities, cable operators, satellite uplink operators, and security system integrators worldwide.

Product overview

FM Systems, Inc. is a manufacturer of professional broadcast and CCTV video/audio equipment founded in 1978. The company produces over 150 different products serving Broadcast Television, Cable Television, Terrestrial Microwave, Satellite Communications, Security Industry, and Professional Recording Industry. The product portfolio centers on video/audio signal processing, transmission, and control equipment including: IP network switches (IPX-24, IP4x4), video A/B switches (AVS771, CG-X, DVS702), video enhancement products (APR474D Picture Rejuvenator), HD video relay control systems (ATU/ARU-2HD), test equipment (HDFM-1, POET-1, CM-2 Camera Master), CCTV security monitoring (IPG Camera Guard series), and RF/audio subcarrier products. Products are designed for applications ranging from broadcast quality video switching to industrial relay control and security surveillance, with many units designed to work with existing cable infrastructure including coax, twisted pair, and IP networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IPX-24 IP Video A/B Switch A 24 Volt operated 2X1 IP video network switch with two RJ-45 inputs and one output, designed to switch IP cameras off/on or between networks without programming access while passing all P.O.E. standards. Targeted at IP video/CCTV installations requiring network isolation or privacy control.
• APR474D Automatic Picture Rejuvenator with Dual Video Output An adaptive picture rejuvenator for CCTV installations that extends coax cable video runs up to 5,000 feet and automatically removes distortion while sharpening video from color and B/W cameras. Contains four independent control systems for four video channels with dual video outputs, providing a single-ended solution that requires no equipment at the sending end.
• IP4x4 Remote Control Over IP Video A remote control system that places two-way contact relay controls onto any IP video cable without affecting IP video transmission. Supports up to 8 controls (4 inputs, 4 outputs) in both directions using existing network cabling, enabling access control or emergency button installation at camera locations.
• AVS771 Audio Video A/B Switch A 2X1 stereo audio follow video switching relay system controlled by external voltage, supporting NTSC, PAL, or HD-TVI video. Provides broadcast-quality Audio and Video Relay switching and automatically returns to channel A position on power failure.
• CG-X Camera Guard Automatic A/B Video Switch A video A/B switch that monitors the communications path on any video signal and automatically switches to an alternate video path upon loss of signal on the primary path. Identifies loss due to camera removal, lens covering, power loss, cable disconnect, or defective camera output.
• DVS702 Data A/B Relay Switch A 2X1 A/B relay switching system controlled by external contact closure or front panel switch, designed for Standard Definition broadcast-quality video relay switching. Supports NTSC, PAL, or HD-TVI video signals and uses relay-type switching with no amplifiers to avoid degrading data signals.
• ATU/ARU-2HD HD Video Remote Control Relay Transmitter and Receiver Transmitter and receiver units that transmit and receive relay control contact closures encoded on video signals for AHD, HD-TVI, HD-CVI, PAL, and NTSC video over cable, twisted pair wire, or wireless systems. Field programmable for 8 lines in the vertical interval with support for up to 8 control relays.
• HDFM-1 HD Camera Focus Meter A camera focus meter for High Definition analog cameras that measures HD camera focus via numeric and bar graph displays to remove the subjectivity of focusing by eye. Compatible with TVI, CVI, and AHD video formats.
• POET-1 P.O.E. Test Port A P.O.E. measurement tool that provides access to Power over Ethernet voltage in IP video systems, enabling the correct working voltage on any network cable to be measured.
• IPG-1 Single Channel IP Camera Guard A supervisory system that monitors communication paths of IP camera data signals and identifies loss of any video data signal due to camera removal, power loss, cable disconnect, or camera failure. Used for TSSA compliance in gas station installations.
• RMS400 Card-Cage and Power Supply Mainframe A rack-mount power supply mainframe that holds nine circuit cards (400 series products) and handles up to 36 video channels within 3 rack spaces.
• FMT651CN Carrier Modulator An audio subcarrier modulator for broadcast television and cable television transmission facilities.
• FMT615C Stereo Multiplex Transmitter A stereo multiplex transmitter designed for FM radio broadcasting applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Video cable runs can be extended up to 5000 feet using Automatic Picture Rejuvenator technology
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Black Box Corporation: Black Box supplies AV, KVM, and signal distribution infrastructure for broadcast and IT — a comparable niche in signal routing and switching for professional and security customers.
• Pelco (by Motorola Solutions): Pelco manufactures CCTV security cameras and surveillance infrastructure used in regulated retail/fuel environments — the same CCTV integrators that buy FM Systems' Camera Guard and relay-control hardware.
• Comprehensive Connectivity: Comprehensive Connectivity distributes cables, connectors, and signal distribution products for broadcast and AV integrators — a partial peer in the accessories and signal distribution category.
• Gefen (by Core Brands/Lutron): Gefen offers AV signal extension, switching, and distribution hardware, closely aligned with FM Systems' relay-based A/B switching and video-over-cable product lines.
• Key Digital: Key Digital designs AV switching, extension, and processing hardware for commercial AV and broadcast — comparable to FM Systems' switchers and signal-management devices.
• Marshall Electronics: Marshall manufactures broadcast and pro AV video monitors, converters, and test equipment — overlapping with FM Systems' HD focus meters, POE test tools, and broadcast signal accessories.
• Kramer Electronics: Kramer produces AV signal management, switching, and extension products across broadcast, education, and integration channels, comparable to FM Systems' switchers and HD-TVI/HD-CVI accessories.
• Extron Electronics: Extron designs and manufactures professional AV signal switching, distribution, processing, and control products for broadcast, presentation, and integration markets — directly comparable to FM Systems' video/audio switching and routing portfolio.
• tvONE: tvONE supplies video processing, scaling, and switching hardware for broadcast and pro AV, mirroring FM Systems' broadcast-quality A/B switch and signal management offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Bosch Security Systems: Bosch is a broad incumbent in CCTV and physical security with video-loss detection and large-system offerings — overlapping with FM Systems' security/CCTV products but operating at much greater scale and breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/FM-Systems-INC-153031288097041

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about FM SYSTEMS