@Sub... Thanks for the reply. I suppose some additional explanation is called for...
I am currently testing NextPVR & XBMC on my HTPC that's running BeyondTV. When I test, I exit BeyondTV. I do not leave NextPVR/XBMC running all the time (for now).
So, in the mornings:
1. I run MC2XML (which pulls data from SD) to generate an XMLTV EPG.
2. I then run NextPVR with the "updateepgonly" switch to update the EPG within NextPVR.
3. Then I run XBMC to update the EPG in there.
My question is if I need to run ""NPVRServiceControl.exe" start" between #1 and #2, above.
Once I am comfortable with NextPVR/XBMC, I will leave that combination running all the time instead of BeyondTV.
Even if you don't need to be running the front end all the time, I'd just leave the recording service running in the background, and run mc2xml in your updateepg.bat.
If you really want do it the way you're doing it then yes, you should probably make sure the recording service is running by the time you do step number 2.