Security+automation+mediacenter

["BreakfastSpam" <nopamsame@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I extensively pre-wired my house during construction & am now looking for
equipment to tie it all together.  I (like others who have posted here)
think mediacenter (MCE) is a great way to drive my distributed audio system.
The MCE integration option for Omni looks impressive.  Looks like exactly
what I need, but for some reason, I'm balking at the cost of $1,200 for an
OmniPro just to get ethernet capability.  Seems like serial is ass-backward
in this day & age. I'm looking for a security system, smart thermostats,
automation controller, & a mediacenter.

Can someone offer an experience-based review of the Omni MCE integration?
Provided the Omni II meets all my other needs... is it worth the extra money
to get Pro & an ethernet connection?

Are there other reasonable cost approaches that would provide good security
& automation capability while integrating nicely with mediacenter?

Thanks!

JV