You need to rip the dvd files to your HD with MacTheRipper (free). Do a macupdate.com search for it. Don't use handbrake. It's a compression app. You don't want to start with futher compressed material. Use MacTheRipper to rip the DVD (or the portion you're wishing to use) as one big VOB file. Now use MPEG Streamclip (free, again use macupdate) to export the VOB file into a Quicktime DV file. This file can now be opened in iMovieHD. iMovie uses DV or HDV source files. By the very nature of DV, you'll will be losing quality from your DVD source. This cannot be helped. DV is a terribly destructive codec when it comes to color and chroma. This should get you going with iMovie. If you want to maintain the best possible quality, you'll have to step up to the plate and get Final Cut Pro and use a lossless codec. Use MPEG Streamclip to export the VOB to Apple Animation codec or use the 3rd party SheerVideo codec. You'll need LOTS of disc space and a decent mac. You'll find that you're going to hit the ceiling pretty quickly with iMovie if you're wanting to do any serious editing. I'm not trashing iMovie. It's great for what's it's intended, home movies from miniDV camcorders. Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.