OK Karl, welcome to the forum, and here's my take on things.
The right camera for you will depend very much on what you want to use it for, as well as unmeasurable things like how it feels in your hand. As you want loads of things to adjust/play with a DSLR definitly sounds right to me. I don't think recordings are really relevant as you'd have to look hard for a digital of any sort that doesn't do them now (it effectively costs money to take the option away) There are a great many photographers who don't consider video a bonus.
The Canon John mentions wouldn't suit me at all for at least a couple of reasons - I like playing with older lenses/accessories, it doesn't respond to Infra red and it's lenses are far too expensive for me.
It would certainly be better than my old Pentax for action shots (slow AF is probably mine's biggest failing), and would be able to crop further (mines only 6mp) etc. But mine was only £150 and my average lens price is under £50 - even including the telescopes.
With your budget, (and buying new) I'd go for the Pentax Kr for about $500 or the Kx for £400, Which will give you money left over for accessories (external flash, tripod, lenses to match your interests) Alternatively you can get nearly new second hand 'semipro' K7's for around £500. (Note non of these would be good for IR either, but that's an unusual field or interest).
If I didn't have my history with Pentax, I might consider Nikon's offerings as they are also reputedly good with 'legacy' lenses. However their shake reduction like Canon's has to be brought fresh with every lens - with pentax it's in the body and still works with 100 year old lenses.
I've heard an unconfirmed suggestion that Sonys can use old Olympus lenses - but I've not seen too many Olympus lenses available and I don't trust Sony anymore anyway.
Unfortunately your likely to find most photographers would recommend their own brand so any advice from us runs the risk of personal bias. Knowing the sort of photography that interests you will help people to give reasonable advice, although all DSLRs can be used for practically every sort of photography (only very specialist stuff, really restricts you) for some subjects there are features that become useful (such as good low light performance. weather sealing, live-view...)
Take your time, read on-line reviews (though these are perhaps biased too?), consider future expansion, and see if you can view relevant Gallery pictures (colour rendering can be subjective). If possible get to try your short list in your hands before finalizing your choice.
Then once you've got it ENJOY it & let us see some results!
