Dahua DH-HAC-T1A21 2MP 1080p Smart IR HDCVI Eyeball Dome Camera, Built-in Mic, 25m IR, 2.8mm Lens (3.6mm Optional), CVI/CVBS/AHD/TVI Switchable, 12V DC

Dahua DH-HAC-T1A21 (Cooper Series) is a 2MP fixed-focal “eyeball” (turret-style dome) HDCVI camera designed for HD analog CCTV deployments where installers want a straightforward 1080p camera with reliable night performance, flexible compatibility with common analog formats, and audio support through a built-in microphone. It is positioned for typical surveillance layouts in small businesses and residential projects such as entrances, corridors, reception areas, indoor rooms, staircases, garage access points, small warehouses, and general perimeter viewpoints where an analog coax infrastructure is already present or where the goal is a simple upgrade path from older CVBS systems.

The camera uses a 2 MP CMOS image sensor and outputs a maximum resolution of 1920 (H) × 1080 (V). It uses progressive scanning, which is the common approach for modern 1080p surveillance and helps maintain clearer motion detail compared with interlaced capture under similar conditions. For shutter control, the datasheet specifies PAL operation from 1/25 s to 1/100,000 s and NTSC operation from 1/30 s to 1/100,000 s, enabling both low-light exposure handling and short exposure options for motion capture depending on scene lighting and configuration.

Low-light performance is specified with minimum illumination values of 0.02 lux at F2.0 in color (30 IRE) and 0.002 lux at F2.0 in black-and-white (30 IRE), with 0 lux supported when the IR illuminator is on. In practical use, this means the camera can maintain a visible image in dim ambient light and then transition into IR-assisted night mode when lighting falls below what is usable for color capture. The day/night behavior is specified as Auto (ICR) / Color / B/W, which indicates it supports an IR-cut filter mechanism and automatic switching. The smart IR mode is intended to help manage common IR issues such as a face or nearby object becoming too bright when it is very close to the camera at night. Smart IR operates by adjusting IR intensity according to target distance, aiming to reduce overexposure in close-range scenarios while still providing usable illumination across the viewing distance.

For night illumination, the camera specifies an IR illumination distance of 25 meters. This is a specification commonly used for planning coverage in darker scenes such as unlit corridors, covered entrances at night, or indoor warehouse aisles after hours. While real-world visibility depends on reflectivity and scene conditions, the 25 m rating is the manufacturer’s reference point for IR capability. Installers can also select illuminator control behavior (Auto or Manual) depending on how they want the camera to behave across changing lighting conditions.

Optically, DH-HAC-T1A21 uses a fixed-focal M12 mount lens with focal length options of 2.8 mm or 3.6 mm, both with maximum aperture F2.0. The 2.8 mm option is the wider-angle choice and is typically selected for broad coverage in smaller rooms, wider corridors, or near-range monitoring where more scene width is needed. The datasheet lists the 2.8 mm field of view as H: 100°, V: 54°, D: 117°. The 3.6 mm option narrows the field of view to H: 80°, V: 43°, D: 94°, which is often preferred when more detail at distance is required or when the camera is placed further away from the target area and a tighter framing is needed. Close focus distances are specified at 0.5 m for 2.8 mm and 0.8 m for 3.6 mm, which helps determine suitability for close-range scenes such as a small interior room or tight hallway where the nearest subject might be close to the lens.

To support coverage planning, the datasheet provides DORI distances (Detect, Observe, Recognize, Identify). For the 2.8 mm lens, the DORI values are Detect 44.7 m, Observe 17.9 m, Recognize 8.9 m, Identify 4.5 m. For the 3.6 mm lens, DORI is Detect 55.0 m, Observe 22.0 m, Recognize 11.0 m, Identify 5.5 m. These values are reference planning metrics used in CCTV design to estimate how far a person or object can be detected or identified, recognizing that actual results depend on scene illumination, mounting height, angle, and image settings.

A key functional point of DH-HAC-T1A21 is its analog multi-format video output support through a single BNC port. The camera can output CVI, TVI, AHD, or CVBS, allowing it to be used with different DVR/XVR ecosystems and to match existing deployments without forcing a full replacement of recording equipment. This is useful when projects include mixed hardware, phased upgrades, or different recorder standards across sites. In CVBS mode, the datasheet lists 960H output (PAL: 960H, NTSC: 960H), while HD modes support 1080p.

Frame rate depends on the output standard and region. For CVI, AHD, and TVI, the camera supports 1080p at 25 fps (PAL) or 1080p at 30 fps (NTSC). This covers the common expectations for 1080p analog surveillance and is typically sufficient for entrances, general indoor monitoring, and most retail surveillance where smooth motion is desired but ultra-high frame rate is not required. The camera also lists a signal-to-noise ratio greater than 65 dB, which is a specification related to image cleanliness and noise behavior.

Beyond resolution and optics, the camera includes standard image control features typically used to adapt the picture to real-world lighting challenges. It supports BLC, HLC, and DWDR (listed under BLC options) and has WDR specified as DWDR. These are digital compensation features that can help when a scene includes strong backlight (such as a doorway with bright outside light) or bright points such as headlights or reflective glare. Noise reduction is specified as 2D NR, which is commonly used to reduce visible noise in low-light scenes, often improving compressibility and overall perceived image stability. White balance supports Auto and Area white balance, and gain control supports Auto and Manual, allowing additional tuning for environments with consistent lighting (e.g., indoor retail) or varying lighting (e.g., entrance areas).

Audio support is handled through a one-channel built-in microphone. This is intended to capture ambient sound near the camera, which can support incident review by adding context to video, depending on local policy and legal requirements for audio recording. For many surveillance projects, audio is treated as supplementary evidence rather than the primary record, but the presence of a built-in mic can reduce installation complexity compared to adding external audio devices in small deployments.

Mechanically, DH-HAC-T1A21 includes adjustable aiming ranges: pan 0°–360°, tilt 0°–78°, and rotation 0°–360°. This supports flexible alignment after mounting and helps installers correct horizon rotation and tilt angle, especially when wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted in non-standard positions. Installation options are listed as wall mount and ceiling mount. The casing material is plastic, and the device is specified with basic anti-corrosion protection.

Power requirements are 12 VDC ±30%, with maximum power consumption of 2.1 W (12 VDC, LED on). This is typical for a compact 2MP IR eyeball camera and supports continuous operation when paired with a stable 12V supply and appropriate power distribution design. Environmental specifications list operating temperature from –40 °C to +60 °C and operating humidity below 95% RH (non-condensing), with the same storage temperature range and storage humidity below 95% RH, supporting a wide range of deployment environments (subject to installation practices and enclosure considerations).

Physically, the camera dimensions are Φ85.0 mm × 77.1 mm. Net weight is 0.11 kg and gross weight is 0.12 kg. These values are relevant for mounting hardware selection, ceiling tile load considerations, and shipping calculations for procurement workflows. For projects that require consistent accessories, the datasheet lists optional accessories including a plastic junction box (PFA12C), a 12V 1A power adapter (PFM321D), a passive HDCVI balun (PFM800-E), and an integrated mount tester (PFM904), which can be useful for installation, testing, or cable conversion where needed.

Overall, Dahua DH-HAC-T1A21 is a 1080p HDCVI fixed-focal eyeball camera designed to deliver reliable day/night monitoring with Smart IR up to 25 m, built-in audio capture via an integrated microphone, flexible output switching across common analog standards (CVI/CVBS/AHD/TVI), and practical install features such as wide-angle lens options and multi-axis adjustment. It is suited for straightforward analog CCTV builds or upgrades where ease of deployment and compatibility with existing coax infrastructure are priorities.