What is ONVIF? What is ONVIF protocol?

If a user purchases a Network Camera at one company and a Network Video Recorder (NVR) or surveillance software (VMS) from another vendor. At the time of installation and use, the devices are not compatible with each other, which is miserable. For example, a webcam is not recognized by a webcam and cannot be added by the user. Then at this time, it is necessary for the security monitoring field to abide by an agreement, and this is when the ONVIF protocol was born.

The ONVIF standard was established to solve the compatibility problem between network video surveillance products. ONVIF is committed to promoting the application of network video in the security market through a global open interface standard that will ensure interoperability of network video products produced by different manufacturers.

Although most network monitoring products are compatible with the ONVIF standard, there are many users who do not fully understand the true content of the ONVIF protocol. Because, in this article, we will introduce 6 frequently asked questions about the ONVIF protocol

1. What is ONVIF?

ONVIF is an acronym for Open Network Video Interface Forum, Chinese the Open Network Video Interface Forum, was established in 2008. ONVIF is an open organization focused on the development of global standards for network IP security products such as webcams connected to network recorders, webcams connected to surveillance software, and access control systems.

In the past, if a camera manufacturer released a new camera, the camera had to build in its own connection protocol. These protocols are usually not compatible with other manufacturers' products, so users have to buy all front-end and back-end products from the same manufacturer at the same time, but most of the time, one manufacturer cannot provide all products, so the use and installation of products becomes very complicated. The emergence of the ONVIF protocol solves the problem that the products of various manufacturers are not compatible with each other.

ONVIF's three core principles are communication standardization of network security products, interoperability between different brands, and openness to all companies and organizations.

2. What is ONVIF protocol?

ONVI specifications include things like network configuration; Find a device; Device management; PTZ Camera control; and video analytics, etc. These specifications are written to ONVIF Profiles. Among them, ONVIF Profile C is a protocol standard for network access control systems, and ONVIF Profile G is used for video storage and playback; Profile S is designed for network monitoring systems.

3. Must it be compatible with ONVIF and Profile S at the same time?

When understanding a product, we must not simply know that its product is compatible with the ONVIF protocol, we must know the type of profile that the product is compatible with (such as Profile S). Compatibility with ONVIF does not mean that network monitoring devices can be interconnected. To be truly compatible with cameras and network recorders, both devices must be configured in Profile S. Use Profile S configuration to ensure that the device can achieve audio and video transmission, video settings, and multi-point transmission can work normally.

4. What does ONVIF compatibility mean?

ONVIF compatibility means you can buy and use the device with confidence that it will work with network devices with the same profile. For example, the Profile S device section is compatible with other Profile S products. To ensure its compatibility, ONVIF provides its members with specification testing tools and product testing tools that are used to test product compatibility. Once tested, members can declare that their products comply with the ONVIF protocol. Right now, there are probably over 5000,<> ONVIF-compatible products on the market.

5. How is the ONVIF protocol implemented?

According to ONVIF.org, the interfaces defined in the device management and control section of the ONVIF specification are provided as Web services to ensure compatibility. ONVIF also uses other streaming protocols similar to RTP/RTSP for video streaming, audio transmission, and motion detection; and the H.264 compression standard.