This is usually an issue with the video source. The Avid Meridien hardware uses very high quality betacam sp style inputs and requires that the video source be Time Base Corrected. Consumer and some professional level decks are not TBC capable and will require an external TBC box.To test that the issue is with the video source and not with the Meridien hardware, try this test: With black burst connected to the Meridien BOB and USD or SYNC I/O, patch an additional black burst cable to the composite video input on the BOB. Record enable the video track and attempt to record the black signal. If AVXL allows the digitize, then the issue is with the source deck (or tape).If the error persists when attempting to record the black signal, check the following: make sure that all lights are solid (not flashing) on the USD or SYNC I/O's front panel and that the unit is set to the desired setting of PAL or NTSC. Swap all BNC cables and try a different black burst generator. Run Avid System Test pro and note any failures (note that all loopback and color calibration tests will fail if loopback connectors aren't patched).