CHELMSFORD, Mass. – Jan. 18, 2010 – Axis Communications, the global leader in the network video market, today announced its AXIS Q1910 and Q1910-E Thermal Network Cameras, two unique products that perfectly complement any network video system required to secure an area 24 hours per day, seven days a week.

The new cameras utilize thermal imaging to allow users to detect people and incidents with great reliability even in complete darkness and other difficult conditions. The AXIS Q1910 is designed for indoor surveillance, while the AXIS Q1910-E is an IP66-rated, outdoor-ready camera.

“We see a great demand from customers in high-end professional applications to enhance their IP surveillance systems with thermal network cameras,” said Fredrik Nilsson, general manager of Axis Communications Inc. “Up until now, there have been no full-featured thermal network cameras available on the market, and analog thermal cameras are expensive and have proven a challenge to integrate with modern video surveillance systems. The AXIS Q1910 and Q1910-E change this by being the industry’s first security and surveillance thermal cameras that mesh perfectly with any network video system, delivering all the benefits that customers have learned to expect from network cameras.”

Thermal cameras create images based on the heat that radiates from any object, vehicle or person. This gives thermal cameras the power to see through complete darkness and deliver images that allow operators to detect and act on suspicious activity. Thermal cameras can also allow operators to see in many difficult weather conditions – such as haze, dust and smoke – better than conventional cameras.

Traditionally, thermal imaging has been dominated by military technology and came at a very high cost. Now, with Axis’ distribution network consisting of more than 30,000 partners worldwide and more than 700 Axis Application Development Partners (ADP), thermal cameras will be accessible to whole new groups of security and surveillance users, including local and city governments, transportation, retail and education organizations.

“AXIS Q1910 and Q1910-E Thermal Network Cameras are an excellent complement to conventional cameras within area protection, perimeter monitoring and building security,” said Nilsson.