The only way I found to get Home Media Edition is if you have a microsoft developers network subscription you can buy it.
Or buy downloading a WaReZ copy. After playing with it for a while I can tell you it, isn't worth the trouble any of the programs linked in the thread are just as good it is missing too many features I come to expect after using my empeg.

I agree it should just be a plus pack microsoft must be getting more money this way or else they would just sell it seperatly.

Have you found this site
http://www.thegreenbutton.com/


I fear the alternative software is too "garage" for my needs.


Thats why I just spent the 1200 dollars. The central doesn't have everything I want

internet radio
empeg sync
video output

but I know it will work as good as the empeg does for playing music.

I am guessing that there will be some good programs available but I don't want to wait anymore.

I would keep watching the myHTPC one that looks about the best for playing music and it sounds like he has only been working on it for a coulple of months I'm not sure if you are looking for the tivo features or not I doubt any of the programs will surpass the tivo for that.