Note: this camera is a USB 1 device, not USB 2. Read more

This camera delivers a fair picture, but I am disappointed with the overall performance of the video stream. Considering this is a USB 2 camera it is remarkably slow. I can't tell for sure whether the problem is with the camera, its drivers, or the interface with Windows, but it has a very slow response in both frame rate and camera control adjustments, especially at high resolutions. While the color balance and brightness controls have sliders, I found it very difficult to adjust them at the 640x480 resolution as it can take several seconds between changing the slider before the camera reacts. At other times the reaction is immediate. The 640x480 resolution image is a bit fuzzy. At the smaller image sizes, the adjustment time is more reasonable and it has a nice sharp image.

The best part of this camera is its mounting system. While it still has the problem of not enough depth and height of the mounting bracket to fit well on my notebook, at least it stays put on my notebook. Hurray for one point, the camera is mounted on a slot ball joint so it can be swiveled as well as tilted. The only notebook camera currently which offers this freedom of movement.

Sample images showing how this camera performs under different lighting conditions

Pluses
• Inexpensive
• Swivel mounting system
• Fairly good image
• USB 1

Minuses
• Slow image refresh despite USB 2
• Mounting system still too small to fit some notebooks