Abstract: A control device and system for remotely viewing video programming and for monitoring and controlling electronic devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, a control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, includes: 1) a base unit having a microcontroller and a data interface coupled to the microcontroller for sending and/or receiving external information, the base unit further including a video interface for receiving video programming signals; and 2) a hand-held remote device in communication with the base unit via a data link, the hand-held remote device further including a display component for displaying at least a portion of the external information received from the data interface, the display component also for rendering video content in the video programming signals received from the video interface.