TL/DR: ONVIF is an open standard that allows IP-based security devices from different manufacturers to work together in surveillance systems.
ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is a global standard for ensuring interoperability between IP-based physical security products. It allows devices, such as security cameras, video management systems, and access control systems, from different manufacturers to communicate and function together within a single system.
ONVIF defines a common protocol for the exchange of information between compliant devices, covering aspects like live video streaming, event handling, PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) control, video analytics, and security. Devices and systems that conform to ONVIF standards can be integrated regardless of brand, enabling flexibility in building and scaling security networks.
There are several profiles under ONVIF, each supporting a specific set of functions. For example:
Organizations use ONVIF-compliant devices to simplify security setup, manage costs, and ensure future scalability without being locked into a single vendor’s ecosystem.
The ONVIF protocol is a set of standardized communication protocols created by the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) to enable interoperability between IP-based physical security devices, such as cameras, video recorders, and access control systems. This protocol defines how devices from different manufacturers communicate and exchange data within a security system, allowing them to work together seamlessly.
The ONVIF protocol covers various functions, such as:
By standardizing these and other functions, the ONVIF protocol allows organizations to integrate and manage a wide range of devices within one system, without needing proprietary solutions. This protocol ensures that systems are flexible, scalable, and vendor-neutral.