How to Add Third-Party Cameras to Your Montavue NVR | A guide on ONVIF

Integrating third-party cameras with Montavue Network Video Recorders (NVRs) can be a challenging task. While not all features are guaranteed to work seamlessly with third-party devices, there are steps you can take to improve compatibility. This guide will walk you through the process of determining compatibility and successfully integrating third-party devices with your Montavue NVR.

What's ONVIF?

ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is a global standard for IP-based video surveillance products. It promotes compatibility and interoperability between devices from different manufacturers by defining protocols for communication and feature support. This ensures that cameras and NVRs from various brands can work together, provided they adhere to the same ONVIF profiles, such as Profile S for video streaming or Profile G for video recording.

Understanding Montavue’s ONVIF Profiles

Montavue's cameras and NVR's support three ONVIF profiles to provide interoperability:

Profile S: Enables video/audio streaming, PTZ control, and video configuration.
Profile G: Facilitates remote storage and retrieval, recording configuration, and metadata streaming.
Profile C: Supports access control, alarm management, and door control.

In order for a 3rd party camera to at very least show live view and playback, it should also have Profile S and Profile G.
While ONVIF compliance allows for third-party integration, Montavue devices also include proprietary protocols for enhanced features and functionalities. These proprietary options may provide advantages beyond what ONVIF profiles offer. Always review product specification sheets and user manuals to understand the capabilities of your Montavue device.

Step 1: Determine the Manufacturer

Montavue is a Dahua OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer), which means Montavue products are manufactured by Dahua.

Finding cameras and NVRs that are from the same manufacturer will make integration significantly easier. Check if your device is a Dahua OEM or an ONVIF Compliant OEM by viewing the following resources:

If your device is not on these lists, contact the manufacturer or find a reliable source to determine its ONVIF profiles and compatibility.

Step 2: Check ONVIF Compliance and Profiles

Start by researching the brand of your third-party camera or NVR to confirm its ONVIF compliance and supported ONVIF profiles. ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) is an industry standard for IP-based video surveillance products, promoting interoperability between devices from different manufacturers. Common ONVIF profiles include:

Profile S: Basic video and audio streaming, PTZ control.
Profile G: Video recording and storage functionalities.
Profile C: Door control and access management.
Profile Q: Quick installation and device discovery.
Profile A: Advanced access control features.
Profile T: Advanced video streaming (e.g., H.265 compression, HDR imaging).

Not all ONVIF-compliant devices support every profile, so verify that the third-party device supports the profiles you need. For Montavue NVRs, Profile S and Profile G are the most crucial for live viewing, playback, and configuration.

Use the ONVIF Conformant Products Tool to confirm the ONVIF profiles supported by your device.

Step 3: Configure Your 3rd Party Camera(s)

Dahua OEMs have their ONVIF account enabled by default, so in most cases they should just work right away. Hikvision on the other hand, you have to log into their cameras directly to enable ONVIF in order for them to work on a Montavue (Dahua) NVR

For specific integrations, you can reference these following guides:

While ONVIF compliance allows for third-party integration, Montavue devices also include proprietary protocols for enhanced features and functionalities. These proprietary options may provide advantages beyond what ONVIF profiles offer. Always review product specification sheets and user manuals to understand the capabilities of your Montavue device.

Conclusion

Integrating third-party cameras or NVRs with Montavue systems requires thorough research and proper configuration. By confirming ONVIF compliance, understanding the manufacturer, and following the outlined steps, you can achieve a more seamless setup. For any unresolved issues, reaching out to the third-party manufacturer or consulting Montavue support can provide additional assistance.

For more resources on camera and NVR integrations, check out our other guides and tutorials. If you’re considering adding third-party devices to your Montavue system, we’re here to help!