This is probably more than you asked for... my own way of saying "Danger,
Will Robinson."
If you are using video production software for business purposes, you really
want something far more flexible and reliable than MM or other home-use
consumer grade software; i.e. support for non-linear frame accurate mpg
editing, dv, windows, and probably QuickTime mov formats as well; for
business purposes, scripted batch processing from custom boilerplate is a
must have.
I would 2nd Graham's earlier comments and also encourage the use of a high
end semi-professional editing suite (range between $300 - 600 dollars). The
most obvious benefit is that you get what you pay for and good software
works first time, every time, right out-of-the-box. In business, you simply
cannot afford to waste time dealing with codec problems, missing audio and/
or video sync issues and hardware incompatibilities.
Additionally, it won't take long for potential customers to begin asking you
to transpose older tapes, photos, and discs of family & friends onto DVD.
Thus, you may ultimately need the flexibility to handle external analog,
digital, and still image input sources for inclusion into finalized custom
productions; e.g. "In Memoriam" or, as in my own neck o' woods, armed forces
ceremonials; Change of Command, Weddings, Funerals.
Bottom-line:
Spend the money now, suffer the learning curve and setup a high quality
video work environment...use proven name brand hardware/ software.
As a precautionary note: Completely sterilize the work area...allow only
essential firmware and related software patches/ updates to be installed on
the video workstation box (do not use the same computer for video games,
email, or trial downloads of neat stuff). All foreign discs, especially
those submitted by customers, should be carefully screened from another
desktop, before moving onto the actual video workstation itself.
Trust me, missed deadlines due to viruses, misbehaving hardware or software
problems will NOT a satisfied customer make. A new mother or recent bride
is not very sympathetic to the nature of your hardware/ software problems.
Adobe, Avid, Final Cut, ULead, etc, all offer high-end semi-pro (pro-sumer)
production software. Do your homework; browse the product user forums and
related alt.comp... Usenet groups for potential problems; Goggle <software
candidate name> + "problem", "Error", "Crash"; thoroughly research each
candidate before buying.
Simply my own opinion based upon many years of paying good money for badly
performing software. Most home use class of video software products are
absolute junk, and these days I prefer to spend more money up-front in
exchange for first time, every time, right out-of-the-box.