from the video camera to the modem and recorder upon an initiation signal being received via the cellular telephone the cpu includes code necessary to perform processing functions on photographic images prior to their transmission such as protocol packetizing and encryption such protocol functions preferably utilize conventional modbus translation protocol the modem converts the image data into a signal suitable for transmission over the wireless cellular telephone system preferably the mobile cpu is a laptop computer the video camera video recorders modems and cellular wireless communication telephone and laptop computer are all of conventional construction and operation the subscriber viewing station which is preferably located at a fixed location such as a residence but which may also be a mobile system which also includes a cellular telephone transceiver also includes a cpu that is coupled with a monitor and with a modem the modem is connectable with an internet service provider via a telephone cable line and cellular telephone the subscriber station also may include a video recorder coupled with the cpu to record received images at the subscriber viewing station to initiate monitoring a subscriber or user connects with an internet service provider isp through the subscriber 39 s viewing station cpu and modem the subscriber then accesses the monitoring service 39.