Video user interface system and method

A video user interface display includes transformed panoramic views of a monitored area, and virtual views of portions of the monitored area. A virtual view may be based upon transformed wide-angle lens image data, or image data from a dome camera system without a wide-angle lens. The transformed panoramic views are derived from wide-angle lens image data, exhibit upright orientation and substantially reduced (or no) wide-angle image distortion, thus providing a readily discernible view of the monitored area. Reference windows overlaid in the panoramic views identify the portions of the panoramic views represented by the virtual views. The virtual views and reference windows respond to operator commands.