Open Network Video Interface Forum opens at Essen

Oct. 7, 2008
ONVIF group opens membership rosters during German security tradeshow

This fall has been a busy time for standards with an expanded presence from both the Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF) and the Physical Security Interoperability Alliance -- two organizations active in the development of standards for network-connect video surveillance devices.

Both organizations have been actively recruiting members, and the ONVIF, which was founded by video companies Axis, Bosch and Sony, has officially become an open-membership organization today during the Essen security tradeshow. The tradeshow is being held Oct. 7-10 in Essen, Germany.

The purpose of ONVIF "is to develop a global open standard for the network interface of network video products," and although founded by Axis, Sony and Bosch, those companies told other industry companies during the ASIS 2008 tradeshow last month that the organization would not be tied to its founders. Now, ONVIF is set up as an independent non-profit, and has membership levels to accommodate different needs. Companies can become full, contributing or user members; details of the membership levels now appear on the ONVIF website, www.onvif.org.

The organization has a booth at the Essen show (booth GA-134).

According to a statement from ONVIF, the "standard defines plug & watch systems and will be including device management, real time viewing, pan/tilt/zoom control, metadata streaming and configuration and event handling."

A technical document detailing the standards for network video and surveillance devices is available at the Essen tradeshow booth.