webcam: tweaks to improve image quality?

[Francisco Borges]

Hello everyone!

I have a webcam (FWIW: Logitech QuickCam E 3500).

It works! With kopete, skype and cheese (cheese rocks!). I succeeded
using it with meconder as well.

[....]

However in any of these situations the image quality is WAY below that
of what the camera supports. Mencoder reports 4 to 5 frames per
second.

Does anyone has tips on how to try to increase the framerate or image quality?

Kind regards,
-- 
Francisco