Well, it may not be the best way to do it, but this will certainly work.
When I wanted to transfer some old VHS tapes to iMovie, I connected the RCA outputs from the VCR into my Sony DCR-TRV38 video camera. I then plugged from the video camera into my Mac mini using a firewire cable. In essence, I was using the camera as a middle-man to transfer the video from the VCR to the Mac. Works well.
You could certainly do the same with the DVD player. In fact, if your DVD player has an S-Video output (most do), and your camera does as well (mine does), you'll get even better video quality.
Just one option for you...
BTW, the same thing can be done with a number of dedicated converstion boxes in place of the video camera. Any Best Buy or CompUSA will have them. Pinnacle is one company that makes them.
Good luck!