The Harris Videotek CMN-41-3GB is a highly specialized and incredibly compact multiformat onscreen monitor, functioning primarily as a high-performance rasterizer for professional broadcast and production environments where space is a critical concern. This innovative device, which was part of the broader Videotek Compact Monitor Series, is engineered to test video and audio signal quality across all digital television (DTV) formats up to a robust 3 Gb/s, making it a versatile tool for handling everything from standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD) and 3G-SDI signals. The genius of the CMN-41-3GB lies in its extremely small, half-rack footprint and shallow depth (less than seven inches deep), which allows it to be integrated seamlessly with modern flat-panel LCD monitors or mounted in space-conscious mobile production units.

Functionally, the unit is a powerful test and measurement tool that outputs a display for an external monitor via a DVI-D connector, rather than having a built-in screen itself (unlike its companion model, the CMN-91). This design choice contributes to its compact size and silent, fan-less operation (thanks to low power consumption and convection cooling), a highly desirable feature in quiet studio environments. Operators can select various full-screen displays, including detailed waveform, vector, gamut, timing, and standard picture views, or a "quad display" which simultaneously shows audio bars, picture, waveform, and vector views, with the ability to adjust the size and position of these overlays for customized monitoring. It also features comprehensive audio metering for all 16 channels of embedded audio, along with support for closed captioning and Teletext detection and display.

The CMN-41-3GB provides a professional-grade, cost-effective solution for ensuring signal integrity in demanding broadcast workflows. Its flexibility is further enhanced by features like 99 user-definable presets, a front-panel USB port for saving/recalling configurations and screen captures, and flexible power input options (AC adapter or 11-17 VDC for field use). This combination of extensive features, compact design, and high-quality monitoring capabilities makes it an enduring piece of equipment in the video production and engineering world, providing essential diagnostics in a highly efficient form factor.