I posted in the audio/video section but wasn't getting any help. I want to get a video camera and am looking for the dest thing i can find for wakeboarding under 1000$. I heard 3ccd is good what does that mean? I also would prefer a sony because i like the waterproof cass but i'm not limited to that.

3ccd is for a 3 chip sensor for recording the colors. Much more precise color. Panasonic is the only company (that I'm aware of) that makes a 3ccd camera under $1000. When I bought one about a year ago the lowest cost sony with 3chips was $2500.

How is that panasonic camera that about 1000 that has 3ccd? Also does panosonic make a waterproof case. I know I can get an epic case but I don't really like it

I really like the panasonic camera, great picture, easy to operate. Not the smallest camera on the market. I haven't looked for a waterproof case. I have a universal waterproof bag that I've used a couple times. Check B&H Photo for camera housings.

Here is the model I have. <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1871&amp;A=details&amp;Q=&amp;sku=423601&am p;is=REG&amp;addedTroughType=categoryNavigation" target="_blank">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1871&amp;A=details&amp;Q=&amp;sku=423601&am p;is=REG&amp;addedTroughType=categoryNavigation</a> <BR> <BR>Here is a Equinox case for the camera. <BR> <BR><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1932&amp;A=details&amp;Q=&amp;sku=429674&am p;is=REG&amp;addedTroughType=categoryNavigation" target="_blank">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=1932&amp;A=details&amp;Q=&amp;sku=429674&am p;is=REG&amp;addedTroughType=categoryNavigation</a>

The panasonic under 1000 3ccd is decent, but if your gonna spend that much you might as well save and spend more for the DVX. As far as housings go if you can find a good one other than the garbage can doubling epic for under a grand id love to see it. Save your money and go big if you can. If not and you wanna stay budget minded try checkin out ebay for some of the earlier canon sony or panasonic prosumer models...you may even be able to find a decently priced XL1 if youd be willing to take one with a pretty high hour count...just do your homework and scour ebay so you know a deal when you see one.

Do you really need a waterproof housing? They usually run over a grand. Are you going to be diving or just shooting wakeboarding? There are some bags you can get in the 250 to 300 range that may not cut it for diving but to keep the water off in a tube or jetski will work fine. <BR>Does your budget include water proof case or not?

I made one for cheap and its solid enough for tube or diving <BR> <BR><a href="http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=59708" target="_blank">http://forums.wakeboarder.com/viewtopic.php?t=59708</a>

I made a housing for my camera out of one of those bags you get to keep your stuff dry for river rafting. I cut out one end and put in a piece of plexi glass and sealed it up. It works fine for the tube and jet ski but I wouldn't dive with it. Cost less than 50 and it works well enough. <BR>I looked at the cheaper 3 chip panasonic when I was shopping for a camera. From the reviews I read it seemed like a good camera but I didn't like the fact that most of the manual controls were buried in menus. <BR>It is a nice compact camera and would be good for most action sports.