What Is ONVIF?

Imagine setting up your HD surveillance system, only to discover that it won’t sync with your video management software. This is where Open Network Video Interface Forum or ONVIF is highly useful.

It is based on web services for the interface and guarantees interoperability. ONVIF.org describes it as, “an open industry forum for the development of a global standard for the interface of IP-based physical security products, such as communication between video management systems and devices (i.e. cameras and encoders) as well as access control systems”.

Founded in 2008 by Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems, and Sony Corporation, the emergence of ONVIF enables the user to utilise his or her HD surveillance system with video management software (VMS) – regardless of varying protocols.

ONVIF has been built with the following being the premise for its core…

• interoperability between network video products
• standardisation of communication between network video devices
• openness to all companies and organizations

Cameras such as Avigilon HD Camera, Bullet, Dome, Micro Dome, and PTZ camera series place reliance on ONVIF communication protocols including Profile S, to communicate with the Avigilon Control Centre system. Areas such as video analytics, IP configuration, device discovery, device management and so on are covered by the scope of ONVIF.

The full benefits of ONVIF are only attained if you are both ONVIF and Profile S compliant. The chance of video streaming, audio steaming and multicast working cohesively is greatly enhanced in this regard.

Taking advantage of ONVIF gives you peace of mind that your relevant product will work with other products certified at the same level. The availability of test tools enables users to declare compliancy with an ONVIF profile.

The best part of all is it renders a single protocol of all devices while also being backwards compatible. This hereby eliminates the need to develop a driver for a custom API. Surveillance software like Avigilon’s Control Centre integrates a lot more easier with third-party cameras through the inclusion of ONVIF.