Is ONVIF the same as RTSP?

A commonly asked question is “What is ONVIF protocol?” This question confuses two different concepts: a standard and a protocol. ONVIF is a security standard, whereas RTSP – a key element in video and audio streaming – is a protocol.

For the avoidance of doubt, “ONVIF protocol” is an incorrect term, because it is a standard. The ONVIF standards are defined by several manufacturers in the video security industry, including enabling products across brands to work together and interface seamlessly. This standard determines how a protocol like RTSP will work.

RTSP stands for Real Time Streaming Protocol. It controls video and audio transmission between two endpoints and enables it to happen with minimal latency (delay) over an internet connection.

ONVIF IP cameras use a specific standard (known as a profile) to stream video and audio. In doing so, the standard defines certain rules about how RTSP should work and which ONVIF specification should follow.

Over a larger ONVIF security camera system, this means that all devices are using the same streaming protocol to transmit video to network recording devices, which are primed to receive it in that specific format.