Why are ONVIF cameras the safest choice for your CCTV system?
The short answer? To avoid vendor lock-in and future-proof your projects.
ONVIF is a manufacturer-neutral set of specifications that define how IP cameras and other video devices and management systems communicate. Profiles group features so that integrators can match the functionality they need rather than relying on vendor-specific APIs.
For installers, specifying an open standard at the design stage protects your client from painful, expensive rip-and-replace cycles. If your customer gets locked into a proprietary recorder or CCTV camera ecosystem (no ONVIF camera support), they can be forced into costly overhauls when a vendor changes strategy, discontinues firmware updates or — in the worst case — stops trading.
To ensure long-term interoperability and competitive procurement, ONVIF compliance is also frequently stated as a mandatory requirement in tender documents and RFPs for larger commercial and government projects.
For security or facilities managers at local councils, university campuses or high-security sites like prisons, an ONVIF camera means you’re buying a camera that can work with many different recording systems and software. That protects your investment, makes future upgrades cheaper and reduces the risk of being forced to keep buying from one vendor.
4 key reasons why you should choose an ONVIF camera
Choosing an ONVIF-compliant IP camera protects your investment and keeps your CCTV systems flexible. Here are four key reasons why specifying an ONVIF camera should be top of your checklist…
1. Real interoperability across manufacturers
An ONVIF camera from one brand will (in most cases) stream to an ONVIF-compliant network video recorder (NVR) or video management system (VMS) from another brand.
That means you can mix and match hardware — best-fit optics, ruggedisation, thermal or visible cameras — without being forced to use a single vendor’s ecosystem.
This dramatically reduces CAPEX and long-term vendor risk.
2. Easier expansion and upgrades
If your customer wants to expand a site or upgrade cameras in phases, ONVIF makes it straightforward: add IP camera models that support the same profiles. This way, you avoid site-wide forklift replacements when one product line becomes obsolete.
The ONVIF profiles exist so that you can match required features (streaming, recording, analytics) rather than relying on proprietary hooks. Profiles G, M, S and T are most relevant to CCTV and video surveillance:
- Profile G: edge storage and retrieval.
- Profile M: metadata and analytics integration.
- Profile S: core streaming and basic camera controls (good for straightforward monitoring).
- Profile T: modern video streaming features, including newer codecs and imaging controls.
3. Future flexibility for analytics, VMS and recording
New analytics or a change of VMS provider shouldn’t require swapping every camera.
If you specify cameras that implement the right profiles, you can change analytics providers or VMS software later without reworking camera firmware or cabling. This keeps CCTV system lifecycle costs down and gives operators more options.
4. Procurement and compliance advantages
Public sector and larger private-sector tenders increasingly require ONVIF conformance in their specifications so that procurement teams can compare like-for-like and avoid proprietary lock-in.
How to switch to an ONVIF-first CCTV system
Switching an installed base to be fully ONVIF compliant is a structured migration project that touches hardware, software and network design. You need to treat it like any other phased upgrade — with careful discovery, testing and documentation.
Below is a more detailed checklist to guide a smooth transition:
- Audit the existing kit and identify profiles in use. Catalogue fielded cameras, recorders and VMS. Use the ONVIF Conformant Products database or vendor datasheets to confirm which profiles (G, M, S, T) each device supports.
- Map required features to ONVIF profiles. A device claiming ONVIF compatibility does not guarantee it exposes every ONVIF feature you need, so be sure to match requirements. If the client needs advanced analytics or metadata, ensure devices support Profile M; for modern codecs and imaging controls, choose Profile T; for basic streaming, Profile S may be sufficient.
- Check VMS/NVR compatibility and licensing. Some legacy VMS/NVRs have partial ONVIF support or limited feature parity (e.g. pan-tilt-zoom). Test each camera model with the target VMS in a lab or staging environment before roll-out. Where possible, rely on ONVIF-conformant VMS platforms.
- Firmware, SDK and manufacturer support. Confirm firmware update policies and software development kit (SDK) availability. ONVIF standardises network interfaces, but original equipment manufacturer SDKs still matter for advanced input/output or custom integrations. If vendor support is low, factor replacement or customisation costs into your proposal.
- Security and network design. ONVIF devices operate on IP networks: enforce secure credentials, network segmentation and recommended cyber-hygiene. Profiles reference up-to-date networking/cyber recommendations, so treat them as part of your security spec.
- Test and document. Pilot deployments, test scripts (discovery, stream, pan-tilt-zoom, event triggers, forensic export) and full documentation reduce surprises on handover.
Why choose Redvision for CCTV cameras?
Specifying an ONVIF camera is about protecting your clients from vendor lock-in, simplifying procurement and keeping upgrade paths open for analytics and VMS changes.
All Redvision cameras are ONVIF compliant (and NDAA compliant) and have been designed for challenging environments and integration into professional CCTV systems. You can specify our static IP cameras, rugged PTZ cameras and other CCTV camera solutions with confidence that they’ll integrate seamlessly into most mainstream VMS and NVR solutions (as well as our own VMS1000 open-platform control system and NVRs).
If you’re not sure which CCTV camera is best for your application or which ONVIF features match your requirements, we can advise on profiles and technical specifications to help you ensure a smooth transition.
Looking to upgrade or install a new CCTV system? Contact our team today to find out more about our products, request a quote or book a demo. We’d be happy to help you find the best solution for y