Exhibit 5.1
                                  -----------
                               October 26, 1998

IAT Multimedia, Inc.
Geschaftshaus Wasserschloss
Aarestrasse 17
CH-5300 Vogelsang-Turgi

Gentlemen:

     You have requested our opinion with respect to the offering and sale by
certain stockholders of the Company (the "Selling Stockholders") of an
aggregate of 2,367,082 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock") including 203,255 shares of Common Stock which
are issued and outstanding, (ii) 480,000 shares of Common Stock which are
issuable upon exercise of options ("Options"); (iii) 423,241 shares of Common
Stock which may be issuable upon exercise of warrants ("Warrants"); and (iv)
1,260,586 shares of Common Stock which are issuable upon conversion of
debentures, including any accrued interest thereon, ("Debentures") of IAT 
Multimedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), pursuant to a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-64111) (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").

     We have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to
our satisfaction, of such documents and corporate and public records as we deem
necessary as a basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed. With respect to
such, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures appearing on all
documents presented to us as originals, and the conformity to the originals of
all documents presented to us as conformed or reproduced copies. Where factual
matters relevant to such opinion were not independently established, we have
relied upon certificates of officers and responsible employees and agents of
the Company.

     Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares have been duly
and validly authorized and that the outstanding Shares have been, and the
Shares issuable upon exercise of the Options, Warrants and Debentures,
including accrued interest thereon, will be, when sold, paid for and issued as
contemplated by the terms of the Options, Warrants, and Debentures,
respectively, duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the
Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as counsel to the Company in
connection with the Registration Statement and in the Prospectus forming a part
thereof. In giving this consent, we do not thereby concede that we come within
the categories of persons whose consent is required by the Act or the General
Rules and Regulations promulgated thereunder.

                                  Very truly yours,

                                  /s/ BACHNER, TALLY, POLEVOY & MISHER LLP 

                                  BACHNER, TALLY, POLEVOY & MISHER LLP