Samsara Site Visibility Camera Compatibility: Requirements, Supported Brands, and What to Know Before You Deploy

One of the most common questions organizations have when deploying Samsara Site Visibility is whether they need to replace their existing cameras or start from scratch. The short answer is that in many cases they do not. Samsara Site Visibility is designed to integrate with a wide range of third-party IP cameras, which means organizations can often build on what they already have rather than replacing infrastructure that is still functional. 

That said, not every camera is automatically compatible. There are specific requirements a camera needs to meet for Site Visibility to work correctly, and understanding those requirements upfront saves a significant amount of time and frustration during deployment. Understanding those requirements before you deploy makes the whole process significantly smoother, so we put together a clear breakdown of what to look for, which brands are commonly used and supported, and what to expect during setup.

What Is Samsara Site Visibility

Samsara Site Visibility is a cloud-managed platform that brings AI-powered video analytics, intelligent search, and proactive alerting to fixed-site environments. It connects to IP cameras through a Samsara Site Gateway, which acts as a cloud bridge between the cameras on your network and the Samsara platform. Once connected, it enables real-time monitoring, a minimum of 30 days of cloud storage, and AI functionality across compatible camera streams, all without requiring a full rip-and-replace of existing infrastructure. 

For organizations already invested in a camera system, this is one of the more compelling aspects of the platform. The ability to layer AI-driven capabilities on top of existing hardware rather than replacing it entirely changes the economics of upgrading your security setup in a meaningful way. Instead of treating a platform upgrade as a full infrastructure project, Site Visibility allows organizations to get more out of what they already have while gaining access to a significantly more capable set of monitoring and analytics tools.

The platform is particularly well suited for organizations that operate across multiple locations and need a consistent, centralized way to manage security visibility without managing separate systems at every site. Because everything runs through the cloud, monitoring and management can be handled from a single interface regardless of how many locations are involved. 

Third-Party Camera Requirements for Site Visibility 

For a third-party camera to work with Samsara Site Visibility, it needs to meet a specific set of requirements. These are not overly restrictive, and most modern IP cameras will meet them, but it is worth confirming before assuming your existing hardware is compatible. The requirements include:

• ONVIF conformant: The camera should support ONVIF protocols for discovery and configuration. ONVIF is an industry standard that allows IP cameras from different manufacturers to communicate with platforms like Samsara, and it is the most straightforward path to compatibility. 

• RTSP support: If the camera is not ONVIF compliant, it must be able to provide a Real-Time Streaming Protocol URL as an alternative method of connecting to the Site Gateway. RTSP is a widely supported protocol across most modern IP cameras.

• Network compatibility: The camera must be connected to the same network as the Samsara Site Gateway, either via ethernet or Wi-Fi. This is an important consideration during installation, as cameras that are on a different network segment than the gateway will not be discoverable.

• Credentials: A username and password are required for ONVIF discovery and authentication. This is standard for most networked camera systems and is typically configured during the initial camera setup.

• Resolution: While Site Visibility supports many IP cameras, high-definition cameras are recommended to get the most out of the platform’s AI accuracy and analytics capabilities. Lower resolution cameras may connect successfully but will not deliver the same level of performance from the AI features.

• IP address configuration: Cameras can be preconfigured with either a static IP address or a DHCP-compatible IP address depending on your network setup. Static IP addresses are manually configured and remain fixed, while DHCP assigns addresses automatically. Confirming which configuration your environment requires is an important step in the installation process.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee that every camera from every manufacturer will perform identically on the platform, but it does ensure that the fundamental connection and streaming functionality will work as expected. For organizations that want to get the most out of Site Visibility’s AI capabilities, starting with HD cameras that are ONVIF compliant is the most reliable path to a high-performing deployment.

Commonly Supported Camera Brands

Samsara Site Visibility can pull in video streams from most modern IP cameras. The platform’s support for ONVIF and RTSP means it is compatible with a broad range of manufacturers rather than being locked into a single brand ecosystem. Commonly used and supported brands include:

• Axis Communications: A well-established name in the IP camera space, known for high-quality network cameras that are widely used in enterprise and commercial security environments.

• Hanwha Vision (formerly Samsung Techwin): Offers a full line of IP megapixel cameras across a range of form factors and use cases.

• Bosch: A trusted manufacturer of IP security cameras used across a wide range of industries and facility types.

• Hikvision and Dahua: Both brands are generally supported via ONVIF or RTSP and are among the most widely deployed IP camera manufacturers globally. 

• Vivotek: A manufacturer focused specifically on IP networking cameras with a broad product catalog suited to various installation environments.

• Lorex, TP-Link, Arlo, Eufy, and Ring: Consumer and prosumer brands that are often compatible when they support RTSP or ONVIF for remote viewing, making them a viable option for smaller facilities or organizations looking for a more accessible entry point. 

If your current cameras are from one of these manufacturers, there is a good chance they are already compatible or can be configured to work with Site Visibility. If you are unsure whether your specific model meets the requirements, the best place to start is by confirming whether it supports ONVIF or RTSP. In many cases that information is available in the camera’s documentation or settings menu, and it is something our team can help you verify before moving forward with deployment.

The Camera Samsara Recommends: Pelco

While Site Visibility supports a wide range of third-party cameras, Samsara’s recommended camera for the platform is Pelco. Pelco has a long-standing reputation in the professional security camera industry, and its cameras are purpose-built for the kind of demanding, always-on environments where Site Visibility is most commonly deployed. For organizations that want the most seamless deployment experience and the highest confidence in compatibility and long-term performance, Pelco is the straightforward choice. 

SCVS is an approved preferred Pelco reseller and installer for Samsara Site Visibility, a distinction that is endorsed at the executive level by Samsara. That means when you work with SCVS to deploy Pelco cameras for a Site Visibility installation, you are working with a team that has a direct relationship with both manufacturers and the experience to ensure the deployment is done correctly from the start.

SCVS Can Get You Set Up Regardless of Which Compatible Camera You Choose

One of the advantages of working with SCVS is that our support for Samsara Site Visibility is not limited to Pelco deployments. No matter what camera you are working with, we can handle the setup and installation from start to finish.

If you already have cameras in place and want to know whether they are compatible with Site Visibility, we can help you evaluate your current setup and determine the best path forward. If you are starting fresh and want the platform performing at its highest level from day one, we can supply and install Pelco cameras configured specifically for Samsara Site Visibility. Either way, the goal is the same: a deployment that works correctly, performs reliably, and gives your organization the visibility it needs across your facility or facilities.

Deploying Samsara Site Visibility correctly means making sure the cameras are compatible, the network is configured to support them, and the system is set up to perform the way it was designed to. As an approved Samsara and Pelco partner, SCVS is uniquely positioned to make sure that happens.  

Ready to deploy Samsara Site Visibility at your facility? SCVS can help with camera selection, compatibility verification, and full installation. Get in touch with one of our experts.