JVC (Japan Victor Company) was founded in 1927 as a subsidiary of Victor Talking Machine Company and became independent in 1943. Merged with Kenwood Corporation in 2008 to form JVCKenwood Corporation, headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Renowned for pioneering innovations including Japan's first televisions and the revolutionary VHS video format (1976) that became the world standard. Also developed the first single-unit video camera/recorder (1984) and pocket digital camcorders (1995). Today operates as a global brand under JVCKenwood with ~10,000 employees and $5 billion annual revenue, producing camcorders, projectors, automotive and home audio systems, headphones, and professional broadcast equipment across six continents.