A broadcast data receiver (BDR) is provided and a method of using the BDR for the production of a pseudo stable reference control for the reliable generation of composite video signals. The BDR receives video, audio and/or auxiliary data from a broadcaster can stored a part of all of the data in storage means, typically in the form of a hard disk drive. When the BDR is deriving video data from the hard disk due to the BDR being disconnected from the signal feed from the broadcaster, the BDR uses a pseudo stable reference produced by deriving one or more values from stable frequency information embedded in incoming data. The pseudo stable reference is used to control the frequency of a VCXO in the BDR, thereby allowing accurate color sub-carrier frequency generation for the generation of a final video output. The one or more values can be average stable reference control values extracted from the incoming data or the one or more values can be derived from locking the frequency of the VCXO to an off air incoming data stream.