Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer based remote video monitoring system including a set of video input sources, a control module, and a client module. The video input sources are coupled to the control module via a local data transmission system such as a local area network. The client module is indirectly data coupled to the control module through an intermediary data server via a global data transmission system such as the Internet. The indirect data coupling between the client module and the control module is limited to an outbound data limited communication protocol such as an instant messaging protocol specifically including the messaging and presence protocol XMPP. The indirect data coupling enables the client module to perform various video monitoring system management related functions including controlling the control module so as to effect the video data signals produced by the video input sources.