my CR auscultation of this webcam

Commissioned on November 24, received on November 27 at 8:30 am (Delivery announced for 28 before 20h) = then bravo!
This is a very recent webcam (online sale on Amazon only 11 Nov. 13).
My choice fell on this model because it is a rare type UVC Webcam that is capable of operating unmanned! It connects to the computer over a USB connection and it works (some on the same principle as a simple USB key = plug and play!)
And that's what I needed because I have 2 operating systems installed on my computer (parallel): Windows VISTA and Linux Ubuntu 13-10, and I wanted a webcam "boilerplate" capable of operate under these two systems interchangeably.
The webcam is described as a high performance and high quality article. Obviously it is "commercial coating" as eg the sphere is not metal but vulgar color painted plastic money!
The microphone is he on this webcam very poor, and the speaker line (in connection eg Skype) has trouble understanding what is told (sound is cavernous, deaf, pasty, as s' it came from someone speaking in a cellar in a tin ...!). I was forced to use another external microphone and correct quality to solve the disastrous audio side of this webcam.
For the image (video) it's not terrible. The only thing that can be charged (the object itself), it is the sharpness by turning the dial surrounding the lens in one direction or the other. But it is difficult to have good sharpness because the image is almost always + or - blurred, regardless of the setting of the knob!.
For other parameters, depending on the system used and the installation or not the driver provided (on CD) with webcam (driver only for Windows or Mac) - I have not tested with Mac but the description indicates that 'there is a problem with micro Mac ....

- Windows - Vista - and NO driver installation CD (thus UVC mode)
Cam Vista recognizes automatically after a certain time ....! Vista uses a very basic generic driver, only allowing adjustment NO! Cam works and that's all; Not adjust the brightness, contrast, color etc ... In addition to see what she picks (video), you must use suitable software (Skype, Magix, but not Movie Maker!) - So you should use this cam by installing his appointed driver (Etron webcam 1.0.0.4) to make the best and drop "UVC advantage" (plug and play) touted by the manufacturer.

- Windows - Vista- WITH install the driver supplied on CD: This driver provides an interface on the desktop (icon: Webcamvidéocap) for performing various settings (including digital zoom), but the image always remains low quality (the basic lens quality and sensor of this cam!) - In this configuration, the cam is recognized without problems with Skype (which uses the features of this interface) and everything works properly, so preferred solution!

- Linux Ubuntu 13-10, UVC mode is detected but to see what happens, install and open Skype (Linux version). Skype displays the video well, but as in the first case, the image can be adjusted and in addition it is reversed (mirror effect!): Impossible to correct this anomaly (Skype running unattached pilot, no adjustment is possible !) - In addition there is no sound (no microphone recognized, but this is an internal problem with Linux - sound card driver) - Consequently, the Linux use is not recommended and it is better to use Windows with a rider, if we have the opportunity.

I was hoping to make use of this cam Vista and Linux (UVC in unmanned mode) is completely missed!

Conclusions: This webcam is mainly intended to Skype with Windows (XP-Vista- 7 - 8), and installing the driver included with the CD. You can stick to them if:
- You're not too demanding about picture quality and video
- You use another microphone (external) to replace that of "junk" integrated in the ball
- You make the best settings in Skype offers its tab "Settings"
- You accept a price / quality ratio that I consider to 1/1 (very average quality corresponds to a very average price, yet affordable compared to other prices Webcams!)

NB: the upper part of the sphere there is a small plate / push but I have not found what it is for? leaflet (Ultra Short is silent) - when pressed means a click but nothing happens (no recorded somewhere ... ??? image) - In addition each time we pressed The camera moves and must be re-positioned to crop the captured image) -