I'm trying to build a show reel from films I've worked on in the past. I'm using MTR to rip scenes from DVD's and then using Streamclip to convert the .vob files to something I can import into iMovie HD (is DV the best format for this part?). After compiling all the clips into a small show in iMovie I send out to iDVD for burn.

Image Quality seems to suffer a bit through this process. I'm using a particularly dark scene as a test and viewing on a 50" plasma so I know I'm pushing it, but would I get better results using Final Cut Express for instance? Or would that just buy me more edit functions. I don't need much in that sense, but image quality has to be the best it can be.

What's the file format/process/software combination that is going to insure the best final image quality in DVD format?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Pat