ONVIF, the Open Network Video Interface Forum, developed Profile S to address this need, focusing on video streaming in IP-based video systems. Profile S is one of the most widely adopted ONVIF profiles and is used to standardize how IP cameras and video management systems (VMS) communicate. By adhering to Profile S, manufacturers ensure their cameras and systems can operate smoothly with other compliant devices, improving compatibility and simplifying the management of security networks.
Meaning
ONVIF Profile S is designed to facilitate the streaming of live video between IP cameras and video management systems. It ensures that video and audio streams are transmitted in a standardized format, allowing systems to handle video feeds consistently, regardless of the brand or manufacturer of the cameras or management software.
Essentially, Profile S covers the basics of video streaming, ensuring that cameras can transmit video feeds to recorders, VMS, or other monitoring systems. It also supports additional functions like PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) control and multicast video streaming, making it versatile for a wide range of video surveillance applications.
Profile S plays a fundamental role in ensuring interoperability between different network video products. This makes it easier for users to mix and match devices from different vendors, enabling them to build flexible and scalable surveillance systems.
ONVIF profiles
| ONVIF Profile | Focus | Key Functionalities |
|---|---|---|
| Profile S | Video Streaming | - Video and audio streaming - PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) control - Event handling for video surveillance systems |
| Profile G | Edge Storage | - Video recording, searching, and playback - Local storage management for edge devices |
| Profile C | Access Control | - Physical access control systems (PACS) - Credential and door control - Event handling for access systems |
| Profile A | Advanced Access Control | - Access control configuration - User and credential management - Access policy creation |
| Profile T | Advanced Video Streaming (H.265) | - Support for H.265 and H.264 video encoding - Motion detection - Metadata streaming (e.g., heat maps) |
| Profile Q | Quick Device Setup | - Fast, easy device installation - Discovery, configuration, and management for quick system setup |
| Profile M | Metadata and Analytics | - Metadata streaming - Video analytics (e.g., object detection, behavior analysis) |
| Profile D | Access Control for Door Units | - Door entry systems and intercoms - Communication between video intercoms and PACS |
This table summarizes the core purpose and capabilities of each ONVIF profile, helping security integrators choose the right profile for their surveillance and access control needs.
Video
Specification
ONVIF Profile S comes with specific technical standards that define how video streams are handled, as well as how cameras and other devices interact within a surveillance system. Below are the main specifications of Profile S:
-
Live Video Streaming: The primary function of Profile S is to support the transmission of live video from IP cameras to video management systems, network video recorders (NVRs), and other devices. It ensures that video is streamed using standardized protocols, such as Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) and Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP), making sure that all compliant devices can process the video streams consistently.
-
Audio Streaming: In addition to video, Profile S supports audio streaming from IP cameras with built-in microphones. This is particularly useful for surveillance scenarios where both visual and audio information are critical, such as in public spaces, retail environments, or transportation hubs. The profile ensures that audio streams can be sent alongside video in a compatible format, improving overall situational awareness.
-
Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Control: Profile S includes support for the control of pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) functions on cameras that have these capabilities. This allows users to remotely adjust the camera’s view by panning, tilting, or zooming in on specific areas through the VMS. This feature is especially useful for large or complex monitoring environments, where operators need to actively track moving objects or zoom in on areas of interest.
-
Multicast Video Streaming: Profile S also supports multicast video streaming, which allows multiple users to view a live video stream from a single camera without overloading the network. This is particularly important for large systems where multiple operators may need to monitor the same feed, reducing the bandwidth required for simultaneous video streaming to different users.
-
Event Handling: Profile S devices can generate and respond to basic event notifications, such as motion detection, signal loss, or tampering alerts. This allows systems to automate certain responses, like starting video recording when motion is detected or alerting operators when a camera's signal is lost. This event handling capability adds another layer of automation and intelligence to video surveillance systems.
-
Video Compression Standards: Profile S supports multiple video compression standards, including H.264 and Motion JPEG (MJPEG). These standards are used to compress video streams, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and stored without significantly compromising video quality. H.264, for instance, is a popular choice for high-quality video streaming due to its efficiency in maintaining video clarity at lower bitrates.
-
Interoperability: One of the most critical aspects of Profile S is its focus on interoperability. Devices that comply with Profile S can work together, even if they are from different manufacturers. This allows organizations to build custom surveillance systems using a mix of cameras, recorders, and software from different vendors, providing greater flexibility and reducing vendor lock-in.
-
Configuration and Control: Profile S provides standardized methods for configuring cameras and video streams, allowing users to easily adjust settings like resolution, frame rate, and video quality. This helps to ensure that all cameras in a system can be configured and controlled in a consistent manner, even if they are from different manufacturers.
-
Video Storage: While Profile S is primarily focused on live video streaming, it also supports basic interaction with network video recorders (NVRs) or storage devices. This allows recorded video to be accessed or managed through the same system used for live video streaming, making it easier for users to handle both real-time and archived footage.
-
ONVIF Web Services: Profile S leverages ONVIF’s Web Services to enable communication between devices. This makes it easier for developers and integrators to create custom solutions or add new features to existing systems. The use of web services ensures that commands and data can be transmitted in a standardized way, regardless of the specific devices involved.
ONVIF Profile S is an essential part of modern IP-based video surveillance systems, ensuring that video and audio streams are transmitted efficiently and consistently between devices. With its emphasis on live video streaming, PTZ control, event handling, and interoperability, Profile S enables users to build flexible, scalable surveillance networks using a wide range of devices from different manufacturers. Its adoption has made it much easier for organizations to create integrated security solutions that are both powerful and easy to manage.
