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There’s been an increasing demand for AI-driven video analytics in both security and business intelligence over the last decades, especially for object detection and classification. Manufacturers produce different cameras and analytics systems, each using their own formats and APIs, which often leads to compatibility issues and integration challenges in multi-vendor environments. ONVIF Profile M was developed to solve this growing issue. It establishes a standardized way for IP surveillance systemsto share metadata such as detected objects, classifications, and events with third-party video management software and cloud platforms.

Key Takeaways

  • ONVIF Profile M standardizes the delivery of AI-generated metadata such as object detection, classification, and events, making analytics from IP cameras interoperable across third-party platforms.

  • It addresses integration challenges in multi-vendor environments by enabling consistent interpretation of metadata like bounding boxes, virtual line crossings, facial recognition, and license plate detection.

  • Compatibility is verified through the ONVIF Declaration of Conformance, which lists supported Profile M features—detection capacity depends on each camera's hardware and analytics capabilities.

  • Detection performance is influenced by camera specs, including resolution, field of view, frame rate, and environmental adaptability (WDR, IR, low-light support).

Understanding M Profile

ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is a global organization that aims to ensure connectivity between IP-based security products—such as cameras, video management systems (VMS), and access control devices. To simplify integration and promote consistency across manufacturers, ONVIF introduced a system of profiles: predetermined sets of features that devices must support to be considered compliant. Each ONVIF profile focuses on a specific use case: by adhering to a profile, devices and clients can communicate effectively, even if they are made by different manufacturers.

‍ONVIF Profile M addresses the need for standardized delivery of data from IP surveillance systems like IP cameras to third-party video management software and cloud platforms, ensuring that metadata such as detected objects and events can be interpreted and consistently. Profile M helps to identify and label elements within a video stream, such as human faces, bodies, vehicles, license plates, virtual line crossings, or heat maps used in foot traffic and retail analysis. 

‍Metadata Structure and Events in Profile M

Profile M provides a mandatory metadata stream interface, which includes object metadata (like bounding boxes), XML-based events (such as motion detection or object tracking), and PTZ position data. It also defines optional interfaces for the ONVIF event service using XML, and MQTT-based transport using JSON events. These allow for flexible integration depending on system architecture and requirements. Typical applications include license plate recognition for gate control, facial recognition for building access, crowd analytics and queue management, and smart temperature control based on presence or movement.

Benefits of Using Profile M 

Interoperability across different brands

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One of the main advantages of Profile M is its ability to enable seamless compatibility between softwares from different manufacturers. It requires a  standardized structure of metadata, events and detected objects, which means that any brand's camera implementing Profile M can be correctly interpreted and processed by a video management system (VMS) from another vendor. This eliminates the need for costly, custom-built integrations and simplifies equipment selection.

Integration with other ONVIF profiles (T, C, D)

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Profile M is not a standalone feature – it complements other ONVIF profiles such as:

  • Profile T, which covers video streaming, including codecs, resolution, and stream protection

  • Profile C, used for access control and door management

  • Profile D, focused on storage systems and data handling


Compatibility with IoT platforms via MQTT

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Profile M supports MQTT, a lightweight messaging protocol widely used in IoT ecosystems. This enables integration between video surveillance and smart building or industrial systems. For instance, presence detection data from cameras can be used to automate lighting or access control systems. Cameras can send event triggers (e.g. virtual line crossing or object detection) directly to cloud platforms or industrial controllers.

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How do I know exactly what features my Profile M compliant camera supports?

Not all Profile M compliant cameras support every feature defined in the profile. ONVIF compliance means that the device supports the mandatory elements of the profile, what we discussed in our blog in the "ONVIF Profiles in security systems" post. Optional features can vary depending on the manufacturer and model. To know for sure, check the device's Declaration of Conformance on the ONVIF website, which is the most reliable and trusted source for making sure your camera supports the desired features. 

‍Click the “Conformant Products” in the top right corner.

Enter the search criteria.

See the list of all the cameras based on given search criteria. Click the arrow to see more about each camera.

Each ONVIF conformant product has an ONVIF declaration of conformance (DoC) document. When you download the DoC, the document will show the features of the profile that the product supports.

  

On the screen you can see the supported Profile M features from the document.

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How do I know, how many people/vehicles will my Profile M compatible camera recognize?

ONVIF Profile M allows client software or video management systems to interpret and display object detections consistently. Although the number of recognizable faces or plates  depends on the camera's hardware and analytics engine. So the ONVIF website does not provide this information. You should check each camera individually on the official camera website. 

Manufacturers may list maximum detections per frame, per second, or per channel. If this information is not available publicly, contacting the manufacturer or reseller directly is often the best way to get accurate details.

Some things to keep in mind about detection quality

Camera Resolution and Field of View

The resolution and field of view of a camera directly affect how many faces or license plates it can recognize. Higher resolution allows for more detail in the image, making it easier to detect multiple small objects in a single frame. For example, a 4K camera can capture several faces or plates at once, even if they are far away. However, the wider the field of view, the smaller each object appears, which may reduce recognition accuracy. Ideally, a face or license plate should occupy a significant portion of the frame to be reliably detected.

Frame Rate and Motion

Recognition accuracy is also influenced by frame rate and how well the camera handles motion. Fast-moving vehicles can cause license plates to blur, making them unreadable unless the camera uses high-speed shutter or motion compensation techniques. Higher frame rates can help capture clearer images of moving subjects, which is especially important for vehicle monitoring and access control.

Lighting and Environmental Conditions

Lighting conditions significantly affect detection. Poor lighting, glare, or shadows can obscure faces and license plates. Cameras equipped with wide dynamic range (WDR), infrared (IR) lighting, or low-light sensors are better suited for reliable recognition in diverse environments. Additionally, environmental factors like fog, rain, or direct sunlight can degrade image quality and reduce the number of recognizable targets.

To sum up

ONVIF Profile M plays a crucial role in unifying the fragmented landscape of AI-powered video analytics. It standardizes how object metadata and detection events are communicated across surveillance systems. It enables true interoperability between cameras, software platforms, and IoT applications—regardless of brand or infrastructure complexity. Whether used for enhancing security, automating access control, or extracting business insights, Profile M provides a scalable, future-ready framework that simplifies integration and maximizes the value of modern IP surveillance. 

🚀Ready to unlock the full potential of ONVIF Profile M and advanced video analytics? 🔮 Whether you're upgrading an existing system or building from the ground up, our team Fora Soft is here to help you design a future-proof solution. Let’s have a free call!

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    Technologies