diff --git a/AutomaticQC/imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m b/AutomaticQC/imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m
index 92976bdc8..58c1113c7 100644
--- a/AutomaticQC/imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m
+++ b/AutomaticQC/imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m
@@ -48,43 +48,29 @@
 if (is_profile || time_missing), return, end
 
 
-if isfield(sample_data.meta,'instrument_burst_duration')
-    burst_duration = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration;
-    valid_burst_duration = ~isempty(burst_duration) && ~isnan(burst_duration) && burst_duration>0;
-elseif isfield(sample_data,'instrument_burst_duration')
-    burst_duration = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration;
-    valid_burst_duration = ~isempty(burst_duration) && ~isnan(burst_duration) && burst_duration>0;
-end
-if isfield(sample_data.meta,'instrument_burst_interval')
-    burst_interval = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval;
-    valid_burst_interval = ~isempty(burst_interval) && ~isnan(burst_interval) && burst_interval>0;
-elseif isfield(sample_data,'instrument_burst_interval')
-    burst_interval = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval;
-    valid_burst_interval = ~isempty(burst_interval) && ~isnan(burst_interval) && burst_interval>0;
-end
-
-has_burst = (valid_burst_duration) || (valid_burst_interval);
-
-if has_burst
+[is_burst_sampling,is_burst_metadata_valid,burst_interval] = get_burst_metadata(sample_data);
+if is_burst_metadata_valid
     opts_file = ['AutomaticQC' filesep 'imosTimeSeriesSpikeQCBurst.txt'];
-else
+elseif ~is_burst_sampling
     opts_file = ['AutomaticQC' filesep 'imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.txt'];
+else
+    warning('Invalid burst metadata...skipping');
+    return
 end
 
 ts_variables = load_timeseries_variables(sample_data);
 
 if isempty(ts_variables), return, end
+postqc_data = gen_postqc(sample_data, ts_variables, burst_interval);
 
-postqc_data = gen_postqc(sample_data, ts_variables, has_burst);
-
-if has_burst && numel(postqc_data.burst_index_range) == 1
+if is_burst_sampling && numel(postqc_data.burst_index_range) == 1
     warning('Burst metadata not consistent with TIME variable...skipping')
     return
 end
 
 if auto
     user_interaction = struct();
-    spike_methods = loadSpikeClassifiers(opts_file, has_burst);
+    spike_methods = loadSpikeClassifiers(opts_file, is_burst_sampling);
     method = readProperty('auto_function',opts_file);
 
     for k = 1:length(ts_variables)
@@ -93,7 +79,7 @@
     end
 
 else
-    wobj = spikeWindow(postqc_data, ts_variables, opts_file, has_burst);
+    wobj = spikeWindow(postqc_data, ts_variables, opts_file, is_burst_sampling);
     uiwait(wobj.ui_window);
     user_interaction = wobj.UserData;
 end
@@ -112,7 +98,7 @@
 
     if isempty(user_input.spikes)%run now if preview was not triggered
 
-        if has_burst
+        if is_burst_sampling
             user_input.spikes = user_input.fun(postqc_var.valid_burst_range, postqc_var.data, user_input.args{:});
         else
             user_input.spikes = user_input.fun(postqc_var.data, user_input.args{:});
@@ -185,7 +171,7 @@
 
 end
 
-function postqc = gen_postqc(sample_data, ts_variables, has_burst)
+function postqc = gen_postqc(sample_data, ts_variables, burst_interval)
 %function postqc = gen_postqc(sample_data, ts_variables)
 %
 % Construct a procqc data structure, the input for the SpikeQC window class.
@@ -195,7 +181,7 @@
 %
 % sample_data - the toolbox data struct.
 % ts_variables - the time-series variables to process.
-% has_burst - if the data is in burst-mode.
+% burst_interval - the burst interval in seconds. Empty for non-burst data
 %
 % Outputs:
 %
@@ -206,7 +192,7 @@
 % postqc.variables{k}.time = The time values.
 % postqc.variables{k}.l - the first index of valid data (from continous invalid ones)
 % postqc.variables{k}.r - the last index of valid data (ditto)
-% postqc.variables{k}.valid_burst_range = the burst index ranges [only if has_burst is true]
+% postqc.variables{k}.valid_burst_range = the burst index ranges [only if burst_interval is not-empty]
 %
 %
 % author: hugo.oliveira@utas.edu.au
@@ -221,13 +207,7 @@
 postqc.variables = cell(1, n_ts_vars);
 postqc.dimensions = sample_data.dimensions;
 
-if has_burst
-    try
-        burst_interval = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval;
-    catch
-        burst_interval = sample_data.instrument_burst_interval;
-    end
-
+if ~isempty(burst_interval)
     postqc.burst_precision = precisionBounds(burst_interval / 86400);
     postqc.burst_index_range = findBursts(time, postqc.burst_precision);
 end
@@ -252,7 +232,7 @@
         postqc.variables{k}.l = l;
         postqc.variables{k}.r = r;
 
-        if has_burst
+        if ~isempty(burst_interval)
             postqc.variables{k}.valid_burst_range = findBursts(postqc.variables{k}.time, postqc.burst_precision);
         end
 
@@ -263,7 +243,7 @@
         postqc.variables{k}.time = time;
         postqc.variables{k}.l = 1;
         postqc.variables{k}.r = numel(pqc_var.data);
-        if has_burst
+        if ~isempty(burst_interval)
             postqc.variables{k}.valid_burst_range = postqc.burst_index_range;
         end
 
@@ -271,3 +251,59 @@
 end
 
 end
+
+function [is_burst_sampling,is_burst_metadata_valid,burst_interval] = get_burst_metadata(sample_data)
+%function [is_burst_metadata_valid,burst_interval] = get_burst_metadata(sample_data)
+%
+% Discover if burst metadata is valid, by inspecting metadata at root level
+% and at parser level (meta). If root level is valid, meta level is ignored.
+% The burst_interval is also returned.
+%
+% Inputs:
+%
+% sample_data - the toolbox data struct.
+%
+% Outputs:
+%
+% is_burst_sampling - True if burst data is provided.
+% is_burst_metadata_valid - True if both burst_duration and burst_interval are valid
+% burst_interval - the burst interval value.
+%
+%
+% author: hugo.oliveira@utas.edu.au
+%
+
+
+is_burst_sampling = false;
+burst_interval = [];
+
+valid_burst_duration = false;
+valid_burst_interval = false;
+
+if isfield(sample_data,'instrument_burst_duration') && ~isempty(sample_data.instrument_burst_duration)
+    is_burst_sampling = true;
+    burst_duration = sample_data.instrument_burst_duration;
+    valid_burst_duration = ~isnan(burst_duration) && burst_duration>0;
+end
+
+if ~valid_burst_duration && isfield(sample_data,'meta') && isfield(sample_data.meta,'instrument_burst_duration') && ~isempty(sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration)
+    is_burst_sampling = true;
+    burst_duration = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration;
+    valid_burst_duration = ~isnan(burst_duration) && burst_duration>0;
+end
+
+if isfield(sample_data,'instrument_burst_interval') && ~isempty(sample_data.instrument_burst_interval)
+    is_burst_sampling = true;
+    burst_interval = sample_data.instrument_burst_interval;
+    valid_burst_interval = ~isnan(burst_interval) && burst_interval>0;
+end
+
+if ~valid_burst_interval && isfield(sample_data,'meta') && isfield(sample_data.meta,'instrument_burst_interval') && ~isempty(sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval)
+    is_burst_sampling = true;
+    burst_interval = sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval;
+    valid_burst_interval = ~isempty(burst_interval) && ~isnan(burst_interval) && burst_interval>0;
+end
+
+is_burst_metadata_valid = is_burst_sampling && valid_burst_duration && valid_burst_interval;
+
+end
diff --git a/Java/ddb.jar b/Java/ddb.jar
index 3406c509e..356607de9 100644
Binary files a/Java/ddb.jar and b/Java/ddb.jar differ
diff --git a/imosToolbox.m b/imosToolbox.m
index 40120ea96..0c77b9218 100644
--- a/imosToolbox.m
+++ b/imosToolbox.m
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ function imosToolbox(auto, varargin)
 %
 
 % Set current toolbox version
-toolboxVersion = ['2.6.8 - ' computer];
+toolboxVersion = ['2.6.9 - ' computer];
 
 if nargin == 0, auto = 'manual'; end
 
diff --git a/imosToolbox_Linux64.bin b/imosToolbox_Linux64.bin
index 1fb15c1d4..628dea2ba 100755
Binary files a/imosToolbox_Linux64.bin and b/imosToolbox_Linux64.bin differ
diff --git a/imosToolbox_Win64.exe b/imosToolbox_Win64.exe
index 7be70bd64..90530f186 100644
Binary files a/imosToolbox_Win64.exe and b/imosToolbox_Win64.exe differ
diff --git a/test/Parser/testnetcdfParse.m b/test/Parser/testnetcdfParse.m
index 84bb72c39..68c8262b9 100644
--- a/test/Parser/testnetcdfParse.m
+++ b/test/Parser/testnetcdfParse.m
@@ -8,22 +8,18 @@
 
     methods (Test)
 
-        function test_no_error_reading_anmn(testCase, anmn_file)
+        function test_no_error_reading_anmn(~, anmn_file)
             data = netcdfParse({anmn_file}, '');
-            assert(~isempty(data.meta.site_id))
-            assert(~isempty(data.time_coverage_start))
-            assert(~isempty(data.time_coverage_end))
-            assert(isnan(data.meta.instrument_sample_interval) || data.meta.instrument_sample_interval > 0)
-            assert((isnan(data.meta.instrument_burst_interval) || data.meta.instrument_burst_interval > 0) && (isnan(data.meta.instrument_burst_duration) || data.meta.instrument_burst_duration > 0))
+            assert_metadata(data);
+            assert_instrument_sample_interval(data);
+            assert_burst_sampling(data);
         end
 
         function test_no_error_reading_abos(~, abos_file)
             data = netcdfParse({abos_file}, '');
-            assert(~isempty(data.meta.site_id))
-            assert(~isempty(data.time_coverage_start))
-            assert(~isempty(data.time_coverage_end))
-            assert(isnan(data.meta.instrument_sample_interval) || data.meta.instrument_sample_interval > 0)
-            assert((isnan(data.meta.instrument_burst_interval) || data.meta.instrument_burst_interval > 0) && (isnan(data.meta.instrument_burst_duration) || data.meta.instrument_burst_duration > 0))
+            assert_metadata(data);
+            assert_instrument_sample_interval(data);
+            assert_burst_sampling(data);
         end
 
     end
@@ -31,9 +27,8 @@ function test_no_error_reading_abos(~, abos_file)
 end
 
 function ycell = only_netcdf(xcell)
-ycell = {};
+ycell = cell(1,1000);
 c = 0;
-
 for k = 1:length(xcell)
     item = xcell{k};
 
@@ -43,5 +38,46 @@ function test_no_error_reading_abos(~, abos_file)
     end
 
 end
+ycell=ycell(1:c);
+end
 
+function assert_metadata(data)
+got_site_id = isfield(data,'meta') && isfield(data.meta,'site_id');
+assert(got_site_id);
+assert_site_id = ~isempty(data.meta.site_id);
+assert(assert_site_id);
+
+got_time_coverage = isfield(data,'time_coverage_start') && isfield(data,'time_coverage_end');
+assert(got_time_coverage);
+assert_time_coverage = ~isempty(data.time_coverage_start) && ~isempty(data.time_coverage_end);
+assert(assert_time_coverage);
+end
+
+function assert_instrument_sample_interval(data)
+if isfield(data,'instrument_sample_interval')
+    if ~isempty(data.instrument_sample_interval) && isfield(data,'meta') && isfield(data.meta,'instrument_sample_interval')
+        assert(data.instrument_sample_interval == data.meta.instrument_sample_interval)
+    end
+else
+    warning('%s missing instrument_sample_interval',data.toolbox_input_file)
+end
+
+end
+
+function assert_burst_sampling(data)
+is_burst = isfield(data,'instrument_burst_interval') || isfield(data,'instrument_burst_duration');
+if is_burst
+    has_burst_interval_but_not_duration = isfield(data,'instrument_burst_interval') && ~isfield(data,'instrument_burst_duration');
+    has_burst_duration_but_not_interval = isfield(data,'instrument_burst_duration') && ~isfield(data,'instrument_burst_interval');
+    if has_burst_interval_but_not_duration || has_burst_duration_but_not_interval
+        warning('%s contains incomplete burst information',data.toolbox_input_file)
+    else
+        assert_burst_interval = (~isnan(data.instrument_burst_interval)) || (data.instrument_burst_interval > 0);
+        assert_burst_duration = (~isnan(data.instrument_burst_duration)) || (data.instrument_burst_duration > 0);
+        assert(assert_burst_interval && assert_burst_duration)
+        if isfield(data,'meta')
+            assert_burst_sampling(data.meta)
+        end
+    end
+end
 end
diff --git a/test/UI/test_imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m b/test/UI/test_imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m
index 1321bc7fb..14394b366 100644
--- a/test/UI/test_imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m
+++ b/test/UI/test_imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC.m
@@ -1,19 +1,99 @@
 classdef test_imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC < matlab.unittest.TestCase
 
+    properties (TestParameter)
+        burst_file = {[toolboxRootPath() 'data/testfiles/Nortek/signature_500/v000/S100165A008_TR44Jun6.ad2cp']};
+        non_burst_file = {[toolboxRootPath() 'data/testfiles/Sea_Bird_Scientific/SBE/19plus/v000/chla_aquaT3_as_aquaUV.cnv']};
+        burst_file_nc = {[toolboxRootPath() 'data/testfiles/netcdf/test/UI/IMOS_ANMN-QLD_CKOSTUZ_20150523T085944Z_DARBGF_FV01_DARBGF-SURF-1505-WQM-1_END-20150714T221531Z_C-20171026T040809Z.nc']};
+        non_burst_file_nc = {[toolboxRootPath() 'data/testfiles/netcdf/test/UI/IMOS_ANMN-QLD_CFKSTUZ_20150805T103003Z_DARBGF_FV01_DARBGF-1508-SBE16plus-29.3_END-20160207T225112Z_C-20171023T055701Z.nc']};
+    end
+
+
     methods (Test)
         function test_no_ndvars_processed(~)
             sample_data = create_sample_data([100,1],{'2dvar','3dvar','TEMP','PITCH','ROLL'});
-            dummy = sample_data.variables{1}.data;
-            sample_data.variables{1}.data = repmat(dummy,1,6);
-            sample_data.variables{1}.dimensions = 2;
-            sample_data.variables{2}.data = repmat(dummy,1,6,12);
-            sample_data.variables{2}.dimensions = 3;
             z = imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
             procvars = fieldnames(z);
             assert(~inCell(procvars,'2dvar'));
             assert(~inCell(procvars,'3dvar'));
         end
 
+        function test_non_burst(~)
+            sample_data = create_sample_data([100,1],{'2dvar','3dvar','TEMP','PITCH','ROLL'});
+            sample_data.instrument_burst_duration = '';
+            sample_data.instrument_burst_interval = '';
+            imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+        end
+
+        function test_burst(~)
+            sample_data = create_sample_data([44,1],{'2dvar','3dvar','TEMP','PITCH','ROLL'});
+            btime = (1:11)'+[1,3600,3600*2,3600*3];
+            btime = btime(:);
+            sample_data.dimensions{1}.data = btime;
+            sample_data.instrument_burst_duration = 10;
+            sample_data.instrument_burst_interval = 3600;
+            imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+        end
+
+        function test_use_meta_info(testCase)
+            sample_data = create_sample_data([44,1],{'2dvar','3dvar','TEMP','PITCH','ROLL'});
+            btime = (1:11)'+[1,3600,3600*2,3600*3];
+            btime = btime(:);
+            sample_data.dimensions{1}.data = btime;
+            sample_data.meta = struct();
+            sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration = 10;
+            sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval = 3600;
+            z = imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+            assert(~isempty(z));
+            sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration = NaN;
+            sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval = 3600;
+            func = @() imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+            assert(isempty(fieldnames(func())));
+            last_warning_msg = lastwarn;
+            assert(isequal(last_warning_msg,'Invalid burst metadata...skipping'));
+        end
+
+        function test_use_metadata_at_meta_level(~)
+            sample_data = create_sample_data([44,1],{'2dvar','3dvar','TEMP','PITCH','ROLL'});
+            btime = (1:11)'+[1,3600,3600*2,3600*3];
+            btime = btime(:);
+            sample_data.dimensions{1}.data = btime;
+            sample_data.instrument_burst_duration = '';
+            sample_data.instrument_burst_interval = '';
+            sample_data.meta = struct();
+            sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_duration = 3600;
+            sample_data.meta.instrument_burst_interval = 10;
+            imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+        end
+
+        function real_nonburst_file(~,non_burst_file)
+            sample_data = SBE19Parse({non_burst_file},'timeSeries');
+            for k=1:length(sample_data.variables)
+                sample_data.variables{k}.flags = sample_data.variables{k}.data*0;
+            end
+            imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+        end
+
+        function real_burst_file(~,burst_file)
+            sample_data = signatureParse({burst_file},'timeSeries');
+            sample_data = sample_data{1};
+            for k=1:length(sample_data.variables)
+                sample_data.variables{k}.flags = sample_data.variables{k}.data*0;
+            end
+            imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+        end
+
+        function real_nonburst_file_netcdf(~,non_burst_file_nc)
+            sample_data = netcdfParse({non_burst_file_nc},'timeSeries');
+            z = imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+            assert(~isempty(z));
+        end
+
+        function real_burst_file_netcdf(~,non_burst_file_nc)
+            sample_data = netcdfParse({non_burst_file_nc},'timeSeries');
+            z = imosTimeSeriesSpikeQC(sample_data,true);
+            assert(~isempty(z));
+        end
+
     end
 end
 
@@ -31,4 +111,9 @@ function test_no_ndvars_processed(~)
     sample_data.variables{k}.dimensions = 1;
 end
 sample_data.dimensions{1} = struct('name','TIME','data',linspace(0,length(dummy),1),'flags',zeros(asize));
+sample_data.variables{1}.data = repmat(dummy,1,6);
+sample_data.variables{1}.dimensions = 2;
+sample_data.variables{2}.data = repmat(dummy,1,6,12);
+sample_data.variables{2}.dimensions = 3;
+
 end