ONVIF Profiles in security systems

In modern security systems, third-party video surveillance software is gaining more popularity compared to built-in camera software.  Built-in camera software often lacks advanced features and robust security so 3d party systems come in handy for progressive solutions for both PCs and smartphones. The problem arises when manufacturers produce systems with their own format and users are experiencing compatibility issues. ONVIF serves as the bridge that connects these components, ensuring seamless integration and smooth system operation.

Key Takeaways

• ONVIF ensures compatibility between IP-based surveillance devices from different manufacturers by standardizing communication protocols.
  
  
• Devices support specific ONVIF Profiles that define their capabilities, such as video streaming, access control, and analytics.
  
  
• Video-related profiles include S (basic streaming), T (advanced video with H.265 and analytics), and G (recording and playback with local storage support).
  
  
• Access control profiles—A, C, and D—facilitate unified management of credentials, door status, and peripheral devices like card readers and sensors.
  
  
• Profile M focuses on metadata and video analytics, allowing IP cameras and smart platforms to share object detection, classification, and IoT data.
  
  
• ONVIF Add-ons extend functionality beyond core profiles with modular, versioned specifications that adapt to evolving tech and market demands.
  
  
• Product conformance should be verified via the official ONVIF Conformant Products List, as unsupported or falsely labeled devices can compromise integration.
  
  
• ONVIF profiles do not include brand-specific features—those require proprietary integration beyond the ONVIF framework.
  
  

Understanding ONVIF 

ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is a compatibility protocol created by Axis Communications, Bosch Security Systems and Sony Corporation in 2008. The purpose was to promote the standardized interfaces and make the IP devices compatible with each other despite being produced by different manufacturers. Thus ONVIF vital principles include communication standardization for the IP devices and compatibility despite the device brand.

The ONVIF standard uses SOAP for communication between devices and software that allows the exchange of structured information in a platform-independent manner. It is based on XML and operates over standard web protocols like HTTP, which makes it suitable for use in IP-based environments, such as video surveillance systems.

ONVIF Devices and Profiles 

The ONVIF’s functionality is pretty much like the cameras manufacturers’ APIs - it provides the way the users authenticate, call the videostreams, etc. The ONVIF profile is a set of features which is provided by the device or the client. Some devices support several ONVIF profiles. A Feature is an API which starts the process on a Device or on a Client. Also there are some conditional features that should be provided by the device or the client in case they support those features. 

There are сurrently 7 main ONVIF profiles: 

1. Video Streaming & Recording

This category encompasses profiles designed to handle video streaming, recording, and playback functionalities. These profiles enable cameras to stream live video to a recorder or management system, as well as facilitate video storage and retrieval. They are crucial for traditional and IP-based video surveillance systems, allowing users to monitor live video feeds and access recorded footage. Profiles: S, T, G. 

‍S Profile

It is the main profile for IP cameras. Designed for basic video streaming from IP cameras to clients (like recorders or software). Provides video streaming and partial compatibility with older ONVIF devices which did not have any profiles but versions 1.0-2.5. Widely used and considered the baseline for video surveillance integration. Includes support for video/audio streaming, PTZ control, metadata streaming (like motion detection), and event handling.

T Profile

This profile can be considered as a logical extension of the S Profile. It provides proper h.265 codec usage, video streaming, image settings management, program motion detection, metadata transfer, embedded analytics, PTZ control, alerts and alarm events such as motion and tampering detection. This profile is becoming the go-to for newer deployments.

G Profile

This was also created for the IP systems. Focuses on video recording, search, and playback. A device supporting this profile can receive, process, record and store a video stream. Allows clients to access, control, search and extract recordings stored on devices like edge-recording cameras or NVRs. Useful for distributed systems where storage isn't centralized.

If a camera supports the ONVIF Profile G, which is responsible for video stream recording, it means that the camera has a memory card slot and can operate autonomously, recording video even in the absence of a network connection, for example. Also G Profile supports two-way audio communication, which can be useful for some cases. 

2. Access Control

Profiles in this category are focused on the integration of access control systems with video surveillance systems. They enable the management of physical security components such as door locks, card readers, and biometric scanners. These profiles facilitate event tracking (e.g., door access attempts) and interaction with video systems to provide a unified approach to security management. Profiles: A, C, D

A Profile

Profile A is used for products in electronic access control systems. The main purpose of the profile is to configure the procedure for continuous access control monitoring.
A device that supports this profile is capable of transmitting information, status updates, and events related to access subjects, as well as providing the ability to configure access rights, credentials, and so on. The client side, on the other hand, is able to receive this information and interact with it.

C Profile

Complements Profile A and focuses more on event and status communication for access control devices. It enables synchronization of access control system (ACS) devices, simplifies the management of connected device functionalities, and integrates equipment with the access control system. The profile also allows for the synchronization of network video systems with the ACS. Additionally, it provides information about the operational status of access points.

D Profile

Profile D is designed for peripheral devices in access control systems. It specifies the interfaces for devices that capture and transfer credential information, as well as devices that perform actions like locking/unlocking doors. These peripherals can include token readers, biometric devices (e.g., fingerprint readers), cameras (for facial or license plate recognition), keypads, and sensors (e.g., door status, motion detection). Profile D is used for devices that interface directly with access control systems, capturing input like biometric data or credentials and sending it to the access control unit.

3. Metadata and Analytics

This category is dedicated to advanced video analytics and the management of metadata derived from video streams. Profiles: M

M Profile

ONVIF Profile M defines how IP devices share analytics metadata, such as detected objects, classifications, and events. It supports common types of data like geolocation, vehicles, license plates, faces, and bodies. Devices that offer features like object counting, facial or license plate recognition, or integration with IoT protocols like MQTT must use Profile M interfaces to send this information.

Profile M can be used by edge devices like IP cameras or drones, as well as server-based or cloud analytics platforms. It ensures that metadata can be streamed, queried, and managed consistently by clients such as video management systems, NVRs, or cloud services, making integration easier and more reliable across brands and platforms.‍

Q Profile: An outdated Profile that is not supported by ONVIF since 2022. This profile allows interacting with the access keys and TLS certificates. Thus, it was created to improve security. ONVIF officially deprecated Profile Q in 2022, due to a security concern in its specification. The profile required devices in their factory default state to permit anonymous access to all ONVIF commands during initial setup. This approach conflicts with modern cybersecurity best practices, which emphasize requiring users to configure passwords and access permissions before a device becomes operational.

In the table above you can see an overview list of features for each ONVIF Profile. 

It is important to note that although in the documentation of many modern cameras declared support for ONVIF Profiles, the specific functionality of cameras can differ significantly. Often simple cameras have a very minimum, ONVIF mandatory functionalities. This functionality is necessary for the camera to meet the minimum set of ONVIF standards.If you need an exhaustive list of all the features that each ONVIF Profile has, check out the official ONVIF documentation.

Here:  ONVIF Device is a networked hardware appliance or software program that exposes one or multiple ONVIF Web Services ONVIF Client is a networked hardware appliance or software program that uses ONVIF Web Services.

Abbreviations: 

M= Mandatory (Features that shall be implemented by a device or client to be considered ONVIF compliant). 

C=Conditional  (= “mandatory if supported”. Features that shall be implemented by an ONVIF device or ONVIF client IF it supports that functionality in any way, including any proprietary way. )

O= Optional (= “NOT mandatory even if supported”. Functions that may OR may NOT  be implemented by an ONVIF device or ONVIF client. )

How Do I Know if My Camera is ONVIF Compatible and What Profiles It Has?

Manufacturers Website

Most manufacturers explicitly indicate ONVIF support in the product specifications or user manuals. Look for terms such as “ONVIF compliant” or “Supports ONVIF Profile S/T/G” on the packaging, datasheet, or within the web interface of the device. Example from the official Pelco website. 

ONVIF Website

According to ONVIF website, they have experienced issues with improper conformance claims and fraudulent uses of its logo on products, in advertisements, sales literature or online. To avoid being misled, they were encouraged to verify conformance using the ONVIF Official Website, which is the only official source for determining whether or not a product is officially ONVIF conformant and supports one or multiple ONVIF profiles. 

ONVIF maintains a Conformant Products List where users can look up specific camera models or manufacturers. If the device is listed, it has passed ONVIF’s official compliance testing.

How to Check the ONVIF Features for a Specific Camera

Click the “Conformant Products” in the top right corner.

Enter the search criteria.

See the list of all the cameras based on given search criteria. Click the arrow to see more about each camera.

Each ONVIF conformant product has an ONVIF declaration of conformance (DoC) document. When you download the DoC, the document will show the features of the profile that the product supports.

On the screen you can see the supported Profile S G T features from the document.

As you can see from this example, it’s essential to check for all the desired features before acquiring the desired camera. 

About ONVIF Profile “versions”

ONVIF profiles themselves, like Profile A, Profile S, or Profile T, do not have internal versioning such as 1.0 or 1.1. Each profile is defined with a fixed set of features and behaviors. Once a profile is released, its definition remains static to guarantee interoperability between different manufacturers' devices. Although, product conformance is tied to a specific firmware/software version that was tested and registered for that product. To ensure an existing product is ONVIF conformant, they advise to check that the product is listed in the Conformant Products database and its version matches  the existing product’s software version.

About Brand Specific Functionality

If a certain ONVIF Profile conformant device also supports some other brand-specific functionalities, will these functionalities work with ONVIF Profile conformant clients? – Not really. All ONVIF profiles have a defined set of functionalities that must be supported by a device and a client to be considered ONVIF compliant, but ONVIF does not support brand-specific features. This means that the brand-specific functionalities will work only if the client also incorporates support for the product’s brand-specific functionalities. If this is the case, then the system can use both the ONVIF interface for functionalities defined by the ONVIF profile and the brand-name product’s interface for the brand-specific functionalities.

ONVIF Add-ons

ONVIF Add-ons are modular extensions designed to enhance the capabilities of ONVIF-compatible devices beyond what standard profiles offer. Each add-on addresses a specific use case by introducing one or more clearly defined features. Unlike full profiles, add-ons are not comprehensive frameworks but lightweight specifications that build on top of an existing ONVIF profile. To conform to an add-on, a product must already conform to at least one ONVIF profile. 

One of the key advantages of add-ons is their support for versioning. This allows features to be added or removed over time based on evolving technology or market needs. As a result, ONVIF add-ons offer a flexible and efficient path for introducing new functionality without the need to redefine entire profiles.

ONVIF Pros

One of ONVIF’s most compelling strengths is its unified standard. If two devices support the same ONVIF profile (e.g. Profile S for streaming), they are guaranteed to work together, regardless of the manufacturer.  This allows users to add or replace cameras, encoders, recorders, and softwares . Combined with the growing selection of ONVIF-compliant devices available on the market, this standardisation makes ONVIF a reliable choice for scalable systems.

ONVIF also supports remote configuration, enabling administrators to manage and adjust device settings without being physically present. This is especially valuable in large-scale installations spread across different locations.

What’s more, the protocols are continually evolving to support modern requirements. Each new profile adds functionality – such as advanced metadata, analytics integration, and access control – which keeps ONVIF relevant in a fast-moving tech landscape. 

The key reason behind ONVIF’s strength is the growing collaboration with system integrators and software developers. These professionals are building increasingly sophisticated tools that take full advantage of ONVIF’s capabilities. As ONVIF improvements are adopted, software vendors frequently update their platforms to remain compatible, ensuring a more seamless experience for users.

ONVIF Cons

Despite its popularity, while ONVIF defines the protocols for communication, actual implementation can vary between manufacturers. In some cases, a device may technically support a given profile but still behave differently due to how the profile is implemented, leading to unexpected limitations or incompatibility in real-world use.

ONVIF and PSIA

​In the context of ONVIF's prominence in IP video surveillance, it's good to acknowledge that there are other systems that compete with it. One of them is PSIA (Physical Security Interoperability Alliance). Established in 2008, PSIA aimed to create open standards across various physical security domains, including video surveillance, access control, and intrusion detection. Unlike ONVIF's focus on IP video, PSIA adopted a broader, system-wide approach, utilizing a RESTful architecture for lighter, more flexible integrations.​

However, PSIA's adoption has been limited compared to ONVIF. ONVIF's structured profiles along with its widespread manufacturer support, have solidified its position as the dominant standard in the industry. While PSIA offers a comprehensive framework, ONVIF's extensive ecosystem and consistent implementation make it the preferred choice for most integrators and end-users.

To Sum Up

ONVIF remains the leading interoperability standard in the video surveillance industry for good reason. Its open, evolving, and widely adopted framework allows users to build flexible, scalable, and cost-effective systems without being tied to a single vendor. However, integrators should still be mindful of profile versions and device certifications when designing or upgrading systems.

As the ecosystem continues to grow and mature, ONVIF is likely to retain its position at the forefront of IP surveillance – especially as smart analytics and access control increasingly converge with video technologies.

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