ONVIF, a standardization initiative for IP-based physical security products, announced its second major release: ONVIF Core Specification 2.0. The specification now covers video storage devices and video analytics engines, in addition to cameras and encoders. Configuration of wireless interfaces, 802.1X secure link layer and audio backchannel are also supported in this specification.

Based on the ONVIF specification for cameras and video encoders, this new release defines standardized interfaces also for network video recording, display and video analytics devices. With equipment based on ONVIF Core Specification 2.0, integrators and end users will have full flexibility when building complete video surveillance systems using ONVIF-conformant products, according to the organization.

The new specification covers configuration of dedicated video analytics units, configuration and operation of IP-connected screens and monitor walls, as well as the configuration, storage and playback of video recordings in a security system. The ONVIF service architecture now supports recording features ranging from local recording in cameras over digital video recorders up to enterprise-class distributed network video recording solutions.

“By releasing ONVIF Core Specification 2.0 and extending the reach to video storage, display devices, video analytics and several other areas, we are getting even closer to the goal of ONVIF to facilitate simple integration of IP-based physical security equipment using a global open network interface,” said Hans Busch, Bosch Security Systems, chairman of ONVIF Technical Committee.

The new specification is backward-compatible with ONVIF Core Specification 1.02, and is available for download at ONVIF’s website, www.onvif.org.