An X-ray imaging method includes performing an X-ray exposure via an X-ray radiation source responsive to a source controller. The method also includes sampling X-ray image data via a digital detector without communication of timing signals from the source controller. The method further includes combining the sampled X-ray image data of at least one imaging frame or two or more imaging frames with at least one of the frames spanning a duration in which the exposure occurred, to produce X-ray image data capable of being reconstructed into a user-viewable image.