Mac & PC Questions

Mac:  I need to put my PC editing software on my IMac to prepare the 2 hour DVDs on which we currently play VMX downloads and local shows on our access channel. 

Question 1: Is there a free or cheap way I can get the current IMac to accept this PC software?

PC: Stowe Cablevision, which is PC-based,  is considering buying us a customized server to play our access Channel 37 instead of on DVDs. This will increase our ability to play VMX files at least 10-fold. Total cost of  the server & softwre is a factor, of course, in their decision, and a standard channel programmer is in out-of-the -budget range. I am not familiar with Windows Server software.

Question 2: Will Windows Server 2003  allow us to  schedule mpeg2s files to play 24/7?  We don't need any of the other functions I am told servers can do for a channel. 

Question 3: Would Windows Server  2008  be a better choice?

Question 4: is there a  software  that will play  the 24/7 schedule  without  us having to buy Windows Server at all?

Question 5: Is this possible on a server run on Mac software? This probably isn't an option, but it would be helpful to know.

Any  suggestions and experience  on both the Mac and PC questions will be appreciated.  We want to be up and running by Thanksgiving, if possible, so a prompt reply will be doublely  appreciated.

Thanks.

Ted Bermingham

Ch 37, Stowe-Jeffersonville