Hantarex MGG 28 EQ

Hantarex MGG 28 EQ — Professional CRT Monitor for Video Walls

The Hantarex MGG 28 EQ is a professional 28-inch CRT monitor designed specifically for video wall installations. It was manufactured by the Italian company Hantarex (a brand of Sambers Italia Spa), active in the professional video industry since 1965. The MGG series was produced between 1989 and 2005, engineered by Luigi Cameroni (formerly of Grundig Italia) in collaboration with Project Manager Giacomo Taffelli (formerly of Philips Italy). Approximately 50,000 units were produced annually.

The monitor features a robust, industrial-grade construction built for continuous operation and easy integration into multi-screen configurations. Self-locking mounting hardware and flush-fitting bezels allow the creation of seamless video walls with minimal gaps between images. A built-in cooling fan ensures reliable thermal management, while the rear-removable electronic chassis enables servicing of individual units without dismantling the entire installation.

The Hantarex MGG was originally deployed at trade fairs and conferences, and subsequently became standard equipment in railway stations, airports, betting shops and retail chains. Thanks to its neutral design, minimal bezels and recessed controls, it was also widely adopted by art galleries and museums, where visual content remains the focal point. Today, these CRT monitors are sought after for art installations, film and television productions requiring authentic CRT imagery, and retro-styled event and interior design projects.

The Hantarex MGG 28 EQ is one of the most recognisable CRT monitors in the history of professional video wall installations. Introduced in the late 1980s by Sambers Italia Spa (owner of the Hantarex brand), it quickly became an industry standard for multi-screen video displays. The 28-inch cathode ray tube with black matrix technology and flat square screen delivers a sharp, high-contrast 4:3 image with a resolution of 625 lines in the PAL system. Automatic signal detection across PAL, SECAM, NTSC 3.58 and NTSC 4.43 standards enables operation with video material from any region worldwide without manual configuration.

The mechanical design was engineered with professional applications in mind, prioritising reliability and serviceability. Self-locking mounts enable rapid assembly of multi-screen configurations, while minimal bezels provide a near-seamless image across video walls. The integrated cooling fan extends electronics lifespan even during prolonged, continuous operation. The rear-removable electronic module allows individual monitor servicing without dismantling the entire wall — a feature particularly valuable in permanent installations.

The monitor offers versatile video connectivity: a BNC composite input with 75 Ω impedance and loop-through capability for daisy-chaining, an S-VHS input via mini DIN connector, an RGB input via D-Sub 9 connector (switchable between analogue and TTL levels), and a SCART connector supporting both video and audio signals. An 8 MHz video bandwidth in RGB and S-VHS modes delivers image sharpness sufficient for professional broadcast applications.

Over its sixteen-year production run, the Hantarex MGG found its way into countless installations — from information displays at railway stations and airports, through surveillance systems, to exhibitions in contemporary art galleries and museums worldwide. Its understated aesthetic, free of aggressive design elements, allows the monitor to blend seamlessly into artistic contexts where visual content takes precedence over the hardware itself. Today, in an era dominated by LED and LCD technology, CRT monitors from the Hantarex MGG series are experiencing a renaissance as coveted components in art installations, film and television productions requiring authentic CRT imagery, and retro-styled interior and event design projects.