A COMPLETE GUIDE TO ONVIF
CAMERAS AND PROFILES
LEARN HOW ONVIF PROFILES REALLY WORK AND DISCOVER
WHAT THEY MEAN FOR THE FUTURE OF IP CAMERA SYSTEMS
WHAT IS ONVIF?
ONVIF has increasingly become a buzzword in security technology circles, but it can be unclear exactly what it is
and how it fits into modern security systems. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what ONVIF is,
how to ensure devices are ONVIF compliant, and what an ONVIF camera system looks like in practice.
ONVIF stands for Open Network Video Interface Forum. Its aim is to provide a standard
for the interface between different IP-based security devices. In simple terms, ONVIF
specifications provide a consistent way for devices from multiple manufacturers to work
together, where previously they would not have been able to. These standardized ONVIF
specifications are like a common language that all devices can use to communicate.
The end user benefits from this interoperability because they are no longer tied to a single
brand for everything to work; now, a business can use several different brands’ systems, with
a single standard to communicate. Want to use the best ONVIF camera from Brand A, but you
also want Brand B’s ONVIF IP cameras, and Brand C’s ONVIF NVR? No problem - because the
ONVIF standard enables them all to work together.
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IS ONVIF THE SAME AS RTSP?
A commonly asked question is “what is ONVIF
protocol?” This question confuses two different
concepts: a standard and a protocol. ONVIF is a security
standard, whereas RTSP - a key element of video and
audio streaming - is a protocol.
For the avoidance of doubt, “ONVIF protocol” is an incorrect term,
because it is a standard. The ONVIF standards are defined by several
manufacturers in the video security industry, including Pelco, enabling
products across brands to work together and interface seamlessly.
This standard determines how a protocol like RTSP will work.
RTSP stands for Real Time Streaming Protocol. It controls video and
audio transmission between two endpoints, and enables it to happen
with minimal latency (delay) over an internet connection. ONVIF IP
cameras use a specific standard (known as a profile) to stream video
and audio. In doing so, the standard defines certain rules about how
RTSP should work and which ONVIF specifications it should follow.
Over a larger ONVIF security camera system, this means that all
devices are using the same streaming protocol to transmit video to
network recording devices, which are primed to receive it in that
specific format.
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ONVIF PROFILES
AND WHY THEY MATTER
Overall, ONVIF creates a standardized way for devices to interact. However, not all devices use the same
protocols, or the same functionality, which is why there are a number of different profiles for various devices and
clients to comply with.
Each profile has two sets of features: Mandatory (M) and Conditional (C). ONVIF conformant devices and clients must include the mandatory
features to work, which are laid out in the ONVIF specifications available under each profile.
Access control systems use Profiles A, C, D and M. Video security systems use Profiles D, G, M, S and T.
Zooming in on video security, what is an ONVIF camera? In terms of what makes a compatible ONVIF security camera, profiles G, S, and T all
apply to IP cameras, whether that is a POE ONVIF camera or a WiFi enabled camera.
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ONVIF PROFILE A FOR: ACCESS CONTROL SET UP
This profile is designed to configure access rules, credentials and schedules. It AND MANAGEMENT
allows ONVIF compliant devices to gather information, and set up the permissions
listed above. ONVIF conformant clients can retrieve this information from the • Permit and withdraw credentials
devices, and provide further guidelines for devices on how to set up permissions. If
• Create schedules
the system involves video, it can be used in conjunction with Profile S.
• Allocate access rules
ONVIF PROFILE C FOR: DOOR CONTROL AND EVENT
This profile specifically allows ONVIF compliant devices and clients to manage door MANAGEMENT
controls in an electronic access control system.
• Site details and setup
• Event and alarm management
• Door control
ONVIF PROFILE D FOR: PERIPHERAL ACCESS DEVICES SUCH
Profile D compliant devices capture input information, then securely transmit it to AS TOKEN READERS, BIOMETRIC READERS,
a Profile D client, such as an online access management platform. The client can KEYPADS AND SENSORS
access the input data and send instructions back on whether to permit or deny
access. Profile D makes the configuration process for these access controls much • Transfers data such as fingerprints, door
quicker and smoother. codes and/or other access requests
Profile D works alongside Profiles A and C to standardize device/client • Transfers data such as lock status, door
communications in IP access control systems. When the access device is a camera status, temperature and motion detection
(for example, for iris or facial recognition, or for a live view of access events), then • Performs actions based on this information,
it can also work with Profile M and T to connect video data and access permissions. such as locking/unlocking, or information
displayed on devices
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ONVIF PROFILE G FOR: EDGE STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL
ONVIF G is designed to work with video security systems that use IP networks
to record and stream data. Profile G devices include ONVIF IP cameras and video • Set up, request and manage video recording
encoders. They can record video over an internet connection, or on the edge (i.e. over an IP network
on the device itself). Profile G clients include platforms such as a VMS (video
• Receive audio and metadata stream from an
management software). ONVIF compatible clients can remotely set up and control
IP ONVIF camera
video recording on devices. They can also request and receive video data, audio
data and metadata streaming from an edge POE ONVIF camera.
ONVIF PROFILE M FOR: METADATA AND EVENTS FOR
Profile M is the latest release from ONVIF, designed to be used with devices ANALYTICS APPLICATIONS
or clients that have smart analytics capabilities. It supports the setup and
management of analytics between conformant devices/clients. It also supports the • Streaming and management of metadata
filtering, streaming and querying of metadata.
• Analytics management and information
ONVIF M conformant products can be edge devices, such as IP cameras; they can lookup for metadata
also be services, such as a server or cloud-based software. Profile M interfaces • Supports object classification
with these devices or services to send metadata over an IP network to a conformant
• Rule setup and management for events
client (e.g. an ONVIF NVR or VMS).
• Handles geolocation, vehicles, license plate,
For edge-based IoT security networks, Profile M conformant products that support face and body metadata
MQTT can also communicate with IoT platforms, which in turn can communicate
• Support object counter, face recognition,
with edge (IoT) devices and services.
and LPR analytics
• Can transmit events via a metadata stream,
ONVIF event service or MQTT (Message
Queuing Telemetry Transport)
ONVIF PROFILE S FOR: PERIPHERAL ACCESS DEVICES SUCH
ONVIF S enables simple IP-based video streaming. S conformant devices include AS TOKEN READERS, BIOMETRIC READERS,
ONVIF IP cameras, video encoders and NVR. ONVIF compatible devices can stream KEYPADS AND SENSORS
video over an internet connection to a compatible client. Profile S clients, such as a
VMS, can also remotely manage and control video streaming from cameras. Other • Remote video streaming
features covered by Profile S include audio, multicasting, relay outputs and PTZ
control on ONVIF compliant devices and clients. For example, even though there are • Remote video management
different protocols used with a standard IP camera than with a PTZ camera, ONVIF
Profile S can configure both camera streams so that they can be viewed in one
client.
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ONVIF PROFILE T FOR: ADVANCED VIDEO STREAMING
Like Profile S, Profile T is used in IP-based video systems. However, Profile T
supports several more advanced features than Profile S. It’s important to note that • H.264 / H.265 video compression
Profile S and T can be used together, as each set of ONVIF specifications supports
• Imaging management
different device and client features. Profile T supports advanced video streaming
features, such as H.264 and H.265 encoding formats. These formats are examples • Motion detection and tampering events
of the kinds of streaming protocols defined by ONVIF standards, as discussed in the • 2-way audio (as known as bi-directional
previous section on RTSP. audio)
ONVIF T also supports other streaming functionality, such as imaging and audio • Metadata streaming
settings, and some simpler analytics in the form of motion and tampering detection. • Secure HTTPS streaming
More advanced analytics features are supported by Profile M.
ONVIF PROFILE Q
ONVIF Profile Q is no longer active, and was officially deprecated on April 1st, 2022. It was designed for use with IP-based video security
systems, for the quick lookup and basic management of conformant clients and devices over an IP network. It was removed from the official
ONVIF profile list because it was considered not to comply with the latest cybersecurity practices; this is because it required full anonymous
access to devices in their factory default state in order to work.
While Profile Q conformant devices can still use the profile, it is no longer promoted by ONVIF and it is at a manufacturer’s discretion when they
decide to withdraw their “Declaration of Conformance” - the official declaration that their products follow ONVIF compliance.
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DO ALL IP CAMERAS USE ONVIF?
No, not all IP cameras are official “ONVIF IP cameras” yet. However, new compliant devices are joining ONVIF’s
ranks faster than ever. ONVIF now boasts well over 20,000 conformant products, doubling its numbers between
August 2018 and April 2021. Such remarkable growth over three years demonstrates how highly interoperability is
now valued by the security industry.
Why are there so many ONVIF compliant devices now? In recent years, more and more products are following the standard with the successive
launches of new profiles like T and M. There is also the much larger commercial security camera trend of completely IP-based systems, phasing
out analog security camera systems in favor of ONVIF IP cameras.
While many of the more established and well-known manufacturers use ONVIF (including Pelco), there are still devices and clients available in
the wider market that do not follow ONVIF specifications and compliance.
IS THERE AN ONVIF CAMERA LIST?
The only way to definitively check ONVIF compatibility is through the organization’s official list of conformant devices and clients. You can also
check ONVIF compatibility with your device manufacturer(s) and/or your client developer. To claim ONVIF compliance, they also need to be
ONVIF members - so if they’re not, it is highly likely that you do not have an ONVIF compliant camera or ONVIF NVR.
There is no specific ONVIF camera list; the Conformant Products list covers all kinds of devices, so to search for ONVIF IP cameras, you will
need to filter the results. On the dropdowns available, choose “Device”, then the profile(s) you want to check, the manufacturer, and the product
name or category. The results list will show you every ONVIF compatible camera model currently registered.
If you simply wanted to see which ONVIF Profile S cameras were available, you can select “Device”, “S” and type “Camera” where the product
name field is. This method would also enable you to check for ONVIF compatible NVR security cameras, encoders, or any other devices or
clients you were interested in purchasing. With some knowledge of how different profiles are designed for different functionality, you can also
refine by profile to check for, say, ONVIF PTZ cameras (Profile S).
This list is a directory, not a buying guide, so you cannot use it to find out which is the best ONVIF camera for your particular needs. Still, if you
are doing some research into your next camera system, it is a very helpful resource. For example, if you were looking for an ONVIF commercial
security camera from Pelco, you can find 98 different compliant products, along with their respective compatible profiles.
WHAT DOES AN ONVIF SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEM LOOK LIKE?
An ONVIF security camera system has the benefit of being flexible and futureproof. You can either choose to have a video security system that
is all the same brand, or you can mix and match devices to tailor features to your specific needs.
If you do decide to purchase an entire system from one manufacturer, you always have the option to add different brands in the future, as long
as they all comply with the same profile. This is the beauty of ONVIF compliance: it opens up many more options for your security system in the
present and in the future.
If you want to monitor all your ONVIF devices, you can use a free software called the ONVIF Device Manager. However, there are other, more
user-friendly and feature-rich options available on the market. For example, Pelco’s VxToolbox offers all the same features as ONVIF Device
Manager, whilst also seamlessly plugging into the VideoXpert video management solution for easy monitoring.
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VxToolbox enables you to carry out a number of different
tasks, including:
• Device discovery on your network
• Adding or changing device credentials
• Editing camera settings, including adding “Friendly”
camera names for easy identification
• Finding and filtering sources
• System configuration
• Event management
• Video analytics management
• User management - such as adding users, setting
tiered permissions, and more
• Update device firmware remotely
• Backup and recovery of configuration files
• Generating and downloading reports
An IP ONVIF camera system will certainly use Profile
S, will most likely use T and G, and if you have chosen
to integrate smart analytics, then it will also use M.
Together, the profiles act like bridges between different
devices to ensure smooth transmission and receipt of
information.
HOW TO CHECK YOUR ONVIF VERSION
It is important to keep ONVIF profiles up to date, to ensure future interoperability. The easiest way to do this is through your device manager,
where you can find the relevant information about which version your camera currently operates on. Assuming your manufacturer continues to
conform to the latest version of the Profile, each time you update your camera’s firmware, it should also automatically update the Profile too.
If your product is no longer conformant, then you will have to choose between updating your firmware or maintaining ONVIF - it is best practice
to update your firmware regularly, but bear in mind that your device will no longer be as widely compatible.
AN ONVIF COMPATIBLE FUTURE? MAKING ONVIF WORK FOR YOU
If you want to move your video security system onto the ONVIF standard, first work with what you have. Check which cameras have ONVIF
compatibility, which profiles they use, and whether they have the functionality you need across all your sites. If not, you will need to look for an
ONVIF compliant camera range and other devices, like NVRs, which fulfill your requirements.
IP-based systems use ONVIF, meaning you will need to look exclusively for IP security cameras. There is little point looking for analog cameras
unless your encoder is ONVIF compatible. Overall, the best ONVIF camera system for the future is one with security cameras that use an IP
connection.
When looking for IP security cameras, associated devices or video analytics, do not get too bogged down with the detail of ONVIF profiles
and different protocols. First look at the bigger picture of what you want to achieve with your system - then see how the technology, including
ONVIF, will serve your purposes.
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