after discussion over on the GB-PVR forums I discovered that I never get an aborted .xml file write if the RT grab returns no data. I actually did not know this was possible since xmltvgui v3.11!
I am guessing this is because for a few channels that are not on the RT listings I use the digiguide grabber as well and then combine. Even if RT returns a zero count there are always the few channels that digiguide returns. Would I be right in thinking this is why I never get an abortive .xml write? And that always an .xml file is written?
If so is there a way that if RT returned a zero grab I could stop the .xml being written irrespective of what my digiguide grab did?
I can look to other solutions to check .xml file size etc before updating my EPG but obviously the best place to start would be with the xmltvgui functions.
many thanks (and though I do not post here often always a great time to thank you for such a great program

Steeb