A receiver is enabled to perform self-configuration of the main data link to receive and display video data. A video data signal is received through a data link having multiple channels or lanes at a specific bit rate. No link configuration data normally associated with the video signal is received. It is then determined which one or more of the channels of the data link are active in transmitting the data signal. A symbol pattern in the data signal is then identified. The symbol rate of the data signal is then synchronized with the local clock frequency. The local clock frequency is set to correspond to the actual bit rate of the data signal, thereby creating a signal-based clock frequency. This local clock frequency is set using only the data signal since no link configuration data associated with the signal is received. In this manner, the receiver configures or trains the link itself using only the video data signal and therefore, the receiver may be described as self-sufficient.