Abstract: Disclosed are a closed circuit television (CCTV) system controlled by a control program installed in a remote surveillance computer, and a matrix switcher used for the CCTV system. The computer-based remote surveillance CCTV system is comprised of a computer video matrix switcher for processing an image signal from a camera and transmitting the processed signal to a video input terminal of the surveillance computer; and a control program, installed in the surveillance computer, for controlling the operation of the computer video matrix switcher and creating camera control data.