The First Five Years (1986-1990)
Thomas Kim, a twenty-year veteran engineer at KBS - South Korea’s biggest broadcaster - seized an opportunity to start a new business with a grant from KBS to design and develop a true Korean character generator. The complex nature of the Korean language made it impossible for foreign manufacturers to supply an adequate solution. Therefore, in 1986, Compix was established and premiered its product as the host character generator of the 1986 Busan Asian Games. The product was received with high praise.
By 1988, Compix had provided its product to all of KBS’s facilities. In the same year, Compix was again selected to provide its solutions at a major international sporting event: the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. For his contribution to the development of Korean technology, Thomas Kim was given the Presidential Award from the Republic of Korea at its National Technology Convention in October.
The Decade of Development (1991-2000)
The year of 1991 saw an explosive growth of the television industry in South Korea. With more than 200 cable channels and Seoul Broadcasting Station (SBS) - one of the three major networks in South Korea - added to its clientele, Compix nearly dominated its market share.
In 1992, Compix established a remote R&D facility in the vicinity of Seoul to facilitate an environment for its engineers to focus on development. This R&D effort resulted in the development of our special Video I/O board for character generation, Genlock VGA B/D, which was FCC, CE, and KT certified.
In 1994, Compix opened its first U.S. location in Los Angeles, California, with the goal of expanding its customer base in the United States. With active R&D efforts on both ends, by the end of the decade the Compix product line showcased numerous offerings including PowerCG, Digital CG, HDTV SDI Board, and HDTV Monitor.
The Decade of Globalization (2001-2010)
In 2001, Compix premiered its newest character generator software called GenCG. The product was an instant hit with its extremely easy-to-use interface and especially captured the attention of the PEG (Public/Education/Government) industry. In the same year, Compix launched its first HD character generator and as its first sale, 20 units were supplied to the major networks in South Korea.
In 2004, Compix had partnered with Techexport Inc., a leader in global distribution, to expand its presence in Latin America. The result was a huge success with over 30 dedicated dealers and system integrators in virtually every country. Today, it is the second largest region for Compix globally.
In 2005, Compix saw an exponential growth in the educational market by introducing GenCG-RS, a free software subscription program designed for students and instructors in teaching facilities.
In 2006, Compix moved to its current location in Irvine, California, doubling its office and warehouse spaces.
By the end of 2010, Compix had increased its market share globally with over 18,000 installations in more than 80 countries with a customer base that includes broadcast, sports, worship, military, government, education, and post production houses.
The Next Generation
In 2011, Compix proudly launched its next generation product: Compix Persona. Featuring powerful live motion, advanced CG capabilities, and the ease of use that Compix is famous for, Compix Persona is poised to become the next domineer in the market. Veronica Kim, formerly the company’s vice president, has newly assumed the leadership role of CEO/President, in place of Thomas Kim, who now serves as the company’s chairman.
"Our success is a product of our focus on giving our customers affordable yet elegant solutions that meet their business and operational needs," says Veronica. "I am incredibly proud of my Compix colleagues and the growth the company has realized through their professional approach and positive energy. As I take on this new role, I am excited about continued work with this team in building our worldwide presence and delivering quality broadcast graphics to Compix clients across different markets and verticals."