ONVIF

A standard for physical IP-based security products such as IP CCTV cameras. ONVIF is an acronym for Open Network Video Interface Forum but was originally Open Network Video Interface Forum. The longer name was dropped as the scope of the standard expanded beyond video applications. For the practical application of CCTV ONVIF is a worldwide open standard protocol for interconnection between IP based systems such as video surveillance and access control devices.

As long as an IP CCTV camera is fully ONVIF complaint, one manufacturer's camera should work with another manufacturer's DVR or utilities such as ZoneMinder CCTV Camera Monitoring Software. It is important to ensure am IP based CCTV product is ONVIF complaint or it should otherwise be avoided. When a Network Video Recorder (NVR) sends commands to an IP camera to request high-resolution videos, a common standard enforced by the ONVIF protocol allows to such camera to deliver what was asked even if the NVR was manufactured by another company.