Axis thermal cameras are designed to detect activity in both daylight and complete darkness by capturing the heat emitted by objects and people. Unlike traditional cameras that rely on visible light, thermal cameras are effective in various lighting conditions, including complete darkness, fog, smoke, and even camouflaged objects. This makes them suitable for perimeter protection and monitoring in challenging environments.
[Reference: Axis Communications - Thermal Cameras]

The IK rating is a measure of a device's resistance to mechanical impact, making it crucial for environments where vandalism is a concern. A higher IK rating indicates better protection against physical attacks, ensuring that the camera can withstand attempts to damage it. Axis cameras designed for high-risk areas typically feature robust housings with high IK ratings, which are specified in their product datasheets and installation guides.

Utilizing external IR illumination with 940 nm provides the benefit of covert surveillance. IR light at 940 nm is almost invisible to the human eye, making it ideal for discreet monitoring without drawing attention to the presence of the camera. This allows for effective surveillance while remaining undetected by intruders. Axis Communications' product documentation on IR illumination confirms this advantage of 940 nm IR light.

Multicast video streaming has several important characteristics:
* A. Multicast can help to save bandwidth in a network because it allows the same video stream to be delivered to multiple users simultaneously, reducing the need for multiple unicast streams.
* B. Multicast can typically not be used to provide video over the internet because many routers and firewalls do not support multicast traffic across the internet, which is more suited for local network environments.
* D. Multicast extends the viewer capacity of a camera or an encoder from 10-20 to an unlimited number, as it does not rely on multiple individual connections to distribute the video stream.
Reference: Axis Communications - Multicast Streaming

For outdoor cameras, not using the proper connectors, such as weatherproof or waterproof connectors, can lead to water ingress. This can damage the camera's internal components, leading to malfunctions or complete failure of the device. Axis outdoor cameras are designed with specific connectors to ensure they are sealed against environmental factors like moisture, dust, and temperature extremes. According to Axis installation guides, ensuring the correct connectors are used is crucial for maintaining the camera's IP rating and long- term reliability.