Windows 7 Media Center Sleep Timer Plugin
by Michael Healy @ 9:15 am on September 28th, 2009 in plugins with 15 Comments
As any bachelor can tell you the basic sleep timer function built into any recent (or even not so recent) television is the perfect partner for those nights falling asleep on the couch. This basic functionality has long been missing from Windows Media Center however. For those missing this feature, look no further. The Green Button forum member StixBit has created a plugin to fill the gap, providing a Sleep Timer menu that allows for 30 minute, 60 minute and custom sleep timers.
To get started using this handy little plugin, download and install the package either from StixBit’s LiveDrive or the Hack7MC server. Once installed, launch Windows 7 Media Center, you’ll find the plugin in the Extra Programs area under the Extras menu.
From inside the plugin interface you’ll find options to set a sleep timer for 30 and 60 minutes as well as the ability to setup a custom time at five minute intervals by selecting the Custom Timer button and pressing the right arrow until you’ve got the appropriate amount of time. Once you’ve got your custom timer set just press the button and the sleep timer will take care of the rest.
There are even options to turn off the Monitor from the sleep menu as well as cancel the timer completely. Unfortunately, however, this plugin doesn’t currently work with extenders and accessing the Sleep Timer from the Extras Menu is slightly more cumbersome than your standard TV sleep timer. If the timer could be set through a simple button press of the remote it would be quite a bit more user friendly.
For those looking to add this basic function to their Windows 7 Media Center though the solution is more than adequate to get the job done. It’s great to see the Media Center community coming together to add the type of features included in other systems that seem to have been left aside by the Microsoft team. Thanks to StixBit for this handy plugin and be sure to give it a try!
, but one device beats 3 sucking up the Juice!!!!
