What is ONVIF? How Are Cameras with ONVIF Support Powering Embedded Vision Systems?

In the world of embedded vision systems and IP-based security devices, interoperability is key. Whether you’re designing a surveillance system, a smart city solution, or an industrial automation setup, ensuring that your cameras and devices can communicate seamlessly is critical. This is where ONVIF comes into play.

But what is ONVIF on camera, and why is it so important for embedded OEM cameras? In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about ONVIF, its benefits and how it impacts embedded vision systems.

What is ONVIF?

ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is a global, open industry forum that creates and promotes standardized protocols for IP-based security products such as cameras, video recorders, and software clients. Founded in 2008 by industry leaders, ONVIF ensures that cameras, NVRs (Network Video Recorders), and other security devices from different manufacturers can communicate and work together seamlessly.

In simple terms, ONVIF acts as a “common language” for IP-based security devices, enabling interoperability and simplifying integration.

Why is ONVIF Important for Embedded OEM Cameras?

1. Industry-wide standardization
   • ONVIF provides a universal framework for IP-based devices, ensuring that cameras, NVRs, and other components can work together seamlessly.
   • This standardization is crucial for embedded systems, where devices from multiple manufacturers are often integrated into a single solution.
2. Simplified development process
   • By adhering to ONVIF standards, OEMs can reduce the time and effort required to develop and integrate camera systems.
   • Developers no longer need to create custom interfaces or worry about compatibility issues between devices.
3. Future-proofing
   • ONVIF ensures that embedded cameras remain compatible with future technologies and devices, protecting your investment in the long term.
4. Market demand
   • Many industries, including smart cities, industrial automation, and healthcare, require interoperable solutions. ONVIF compliance helps OEMs meet this demand and stay competitive.

How Does ONVIF Work?

ONVIF defines a standardized set of protocols that devices use to discover, communicate, and exchange data with each other. At its core, ONVIF uses SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) messages formatted in XML to handle communication between a client (like a VMS or mobile app) and a server (like an IP camera).

These messages are exchanged over standard web protocols such as HTTP or HTTPS, ensuring broad compatibility and easy integration.

When a user interacts with an ONVIF client (such as requesting a video stream or adjusting the camera’s PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) controls), the client sends a structured XML SOAP message to the camera. The device processes the request according to the ONVIF specification and sends back a response. This might include information like stream URIs, PTZ status, event triggers, or analytics metadata.

What Are the Primary ONVIF Functions and Capabilities?

ONVIF protocols cover key functionalities such as:

• • Device discovery: Automatically detecting ONVIF-compliant devices on a network
  • Video streaming: Enabling real-time video transmission in standardized formats
  • PTZ control: Allowing remote control of pan, tilt, and zoom functions
  • Event handling: Managing alarms, notifications, and other events
  • Authentication and security: Ensuring secure communication using HTTP digest authentication and WS-Security with username tokens and timestamps
  • Profile support: Driving interoperability through defined profiles like S, T, G, and A for specific functionalities
  • Media configuration: Making it easy to set video encoding parameters such as resolution, frame rate, and formats
  • Recording control: Providing access to recorded video streams and controls for playback and search
  • Digital I/O: Supporting monitoring and control of hardware inputs and outputs (for example, door sensors, relays)
  • Preset manager: Storing the positions of the camera to directly move to that position
  • OSD settings: Configuring on-screen display elements like date, time, and text overlays on the video stream
  • Audio encoding settings: Enabling real-time audio transmission using standardized formats.
  • Imaging settings: Changing the image controls like brightness, exposure, etc.
  • HTTPS support: Encrypting the mode of communication using TLS.
  • Timing settings: Configuring the device’s time, date, and synchronization methods (for example, NTP).
  • Network settings:  Changing network settings like NTP, IP, gateway and ports of different protocols.
  • Metadata: Configuring and streaming metadata alongside video to provide contextual information such as motion detection, object tracking, PTZ status, and analytics insights for improved situational awareness and intelligent monitoring.
  • Analytics settings: Configuring intelligent video analytics features such as motion detection, line crossing, and object tracking through ONVIF-compliant modules.
  • Firmware upgrade: Ensuring HTTP and HTTPS-based file transfer for firmware upgrading.
  • Profile manager: Managing the various profiles created with various camera configurations.
  • System and access log: Equipping users to view system and access logs for diagnostics and auditing.

For embedded OEM cameras, this means seamless integration with other ONVIF-compliant devices, regardless of the manufacturer.

What are ONVIF-Compliant Devices?

ONVIF-compliant devices are IP cameras, NVRs, and other security products that adhere to ONVIF standards. These devices can communicate and integrate with other ONVIF-compliant products, ensuring interoperability.

For example, an ONVIF-compliant embedded camera from Manufacturer A can work seamlessly with an NVR from Manufacturer B, as long as both devices support the same ONVIF profile.

Benefits of ONVIF for Embedded Vision Systems

• • • Enhanced interoperability: ONVIF-compliant cameras can communicate with a wide range of devices, including NVRs, video management systems (VMS), and analytics platforms, regardless of the manufacturer.
    • Cost savings: By eliminating the need for proprietary systems, ONVIF reduces hardware and software costs for both developers and end-users.
    • Scalability: ONVIF-compliant systems can easily scale to include additional cameras or devices, making them ideal for large-scale deployments like smart cities or industrial automation.
    • Flexibility in device selection: With ONVIF, you’re not locked into a single manufacturer. You can choose the best cameras and devices for your specific application, whether it’s for medical imaging, retail analytics, or traffic monitoring.
    • Simplified maintenance and upgrades: ONVIF’s standardized protocols make it easier to maintain and upgrade systems, as new devices can be added without compatibility concerns.

ONVIF Profiles: What You Need to Know

ONVIF defines several profiles, each focusing on specific functionalities. For embedded cameras, the most relevant profiles include:

• • • Profile S: For video streaming and PTZ control
    • Profile G: For video storage and retrieval
    • Profile T: For advanced video streaming, including H.265 compression

When selecting an embedded OEM camera, ensure it supports the ONVIF profiles required for your application.

What Are the Applications of ONVIF in Embedded Vision?

ONVIF-compliant cameras are widely used in:

• • • Industrial automation: For machine vision and quality control
    • Smart cities: For traffic monitoring and public safety
    • Healthcare: For medical imaging and patient monitoring
    • Retail: For surveillance and customer analytics

By adhering to ONVIF standards, embedded OEM cameras can work with a wide range of devices, simplifying development and reducing costs.

e-con Systems Offers World-Class ONVIF-Supported Cameras

Since 2003, e-con Systems has been designing, developing, and manufacturing OEM cameras for various markets. We offer the RouteCAM series of GigE cameras, which are ONVIF-supported. This means they are compatible with popular platforms like ONVIF Device Manager, VLC, and Blue Iris.

Check out all our GigE cameras.

RouteCAM_CU22_IP67 – 2MP Sony IMX662 Lowlight GigE Camera

RouteCAM_CU25_IP67 – 2MP AR0234 Globalshutter GigE Camera

RouteCAM_CU86_IP67 – 4K Sony IMX678 low light GigE Camera

Visit our Camera Selector Page to explore e-con Systems’ full portfolio.

If you need help integrating the perfect ONVIF-supported camera into your embedded vision system, please write to camerasolutions@e-consystems.com.