I've been creating some clever live video compilations for local bands using a budget setup. A bunch of handheld Flips and a Q3 stereo recorder. These videos are just intended for You Tube/Vimeo and online marketing purposes. Still the quality of the recordings are barely acceptable at best. In many cases, images (after encoding) are full of artifacts and noise depending on the lighting involved. I'd like to make the jump to a more professional camera but I'm not exactly sure where to start or what to invest in. I do understand I do need to consider three things looking for a new camera...

#1- a wide, glass lens
#2- adjustable shutter speed
#3- probably a single CCD chip (I've read that 3CCD cameras require more light for processing an image).

I don't mind MiniDV(although I'd perfer flash memory or a HD). I'm looking at used to keep costs down. My budget is $1000 max. If new (and I can finance I'd consider up to $1200). I'm not considering any prosumer cameras, although the Canon Vixas get great low light performance reviews. As do the higher end Sony's.

In the used market I'm looking at a Panasonic DVX 100 or 200 cameras. I live near NYC and quite a few aspiring film makers tend to sell them locally.

Again these are for quick shots... not long multi-camera shoots. I'm using iMovie and Final Cut Express for quick editing.