Which standard enables interoperability between devices produced by different manufacturers?

The correct answer is focused on the ONVIF standard, which stands for Open Network Video Interface Forum. This standard plays a crucial role in enabling interoperability among IP-based security products, such as cameras, video recorders, and software, regardless of manufacturer. By establishing a common protocol for communication, ONVIF ensures that devices from different manufacturers can work together seamlessly, allowing for a wide range of system integrations in security and surveillance setups.

Utilizing ONVIF allows users to mix and match devices from various vendors while maintaining compatibility, which is invaluable in industries requiring flexible and scalable solutions. This promotes innovation and competition among manufacturers, leading to enhanced features and better pricing for consumers.

Other choices, like RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol), are specific protocols that enable the streaming of video and audio but do not inherently ensure interoperability among different manufacturers. Similarly, ISAPI (Internet Server Application Programming Interface) relates to specific applications and cannot guarantee interoperability like ONVIF does. HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is fundamental for web communication, but it does not address device interoperability directly. Thus, it is ONVIF that stands out as the key standard fostering cross-manufacturer compatibility in security device integration.