Audio Out hissing interference from speakers when connecting VGA/DVI lead

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Audio Out hissing interference from speakers when connecting VGA/DVI lead

Hi
If I connect my mac air to an amp with speakers via an audio out lead then I get great sound. As soon as I additionaly connect the Mac Air to my LCD TV via the VGA or DVI cables I get this annoying hissing sound that gets louder if I turn the volume up.
I have swapped my audio lead for another but still the same problem.
I used to use the same audio/video leads with an old laptop and had no problems. I assume that the issue is due to the fact that the audio and video connector on the Mac Air are very close to eachother.
Has anyone else had a similer issue or can suggest any alternatives or resolutions? Many thanks.

mac air, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Mar 4, 2008 2:42 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 8, 2008 6:25 PM in response to shistos

Yes! I'm having exactly the same issue tonight, as I'm trying to watch a movie on my LCD TV. The video is perfect, but the audio has the same annoying hiss. If you disconnect either the VGA cable or the audio, the hiss goes away.

Would love to know a way to fix this, or at least reduce the interference.

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Answer 2

Mar 8, 2008 6:40 PM in response to worksology

Okay, I figured this one out: the audio jack has limited space around it and most plugs won't fit all the way in to be properly grounded. I tried cutting the plastic around my plug and was able to push it in a bit further (which helped a bit), but still wasn't fitting perfectly.

Guess I'll have to buy a new audio cable that fits. Apple store?

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Answer 3

shistos Author

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Mar 9, 2008 12:07 AM in response to worksology

You are right, the audio jack plug is not fully connected as the rubber mount is to big for the limited audio-in section.
Can anyone recommend an audio jack that would fit?

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Answer 4

Rhyd

Level 3

806 points

Mar 9, 2008 8:46 AM in response to shistos

I bought the "monster headphone adapter for iphone" at the Apple Store for $9.95. This works for both the iphone and the MBA as both have narrow apertures.

There are other audio extensions from other manufacturers but any that specifies for iphone will work with the MBA. Mine is very flexible but sturdy and about 4 inches long.

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Answer 5

Mar 23, 2008 6:41 PM in response to Rhyd

Can you post a link to the adapter you bought? I'd love not to buy the wrong thing.

So does this mean that the 3.5mm audio out on the side of the macbook pro is non-standard as its too small to allow normal audio 3.5mm jacks to dock properly? I'm even using the 3.5mm audio cable that came with my ipod so I'm really shocked it doesn't seat properly although, as I look at it, it isn't in all the way to the hilt. Thanks for posting a possible solution.

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Answer 6

Rhyd

Level 3

806 points

Mar 31, 2008 4:29 PM in response to jjrussell

I bought the Monster iphone audio adapter at the Apple Retail Store. It works quite well for both the MBA and the iphone. I don't know the sku numbers or order numbers but it was labeled for the iPhone and works great with the audio jack in the MBA port. It was recommended by the folks at the Apple Store. I understand that there are others by other manufacturers but this is the one that I got and I do like.

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Answer 7

shistos Author

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Apr 1, 2008 4:40 AM in response to Rhyd

Thanks, Ill check out that lead.
I actually purchased the official Audio leads and shocked that it did not fit.

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Answer 8

Apr 1, 2008 6:44 AM in response to shistos

Thanks for the pointer. Unfortunately it didn't work for me either. I guessed from your original post and got the Monster® iCableLink™ Headphone Adapter for iPhone™ cable. It appears to be a 3.5mm to 3.5mm adapter, which seems odd.

However it doesn't stop the buzzing. What I found did help a bit was to turn the volume on the mac all the way to the top and adjust the volume on the amp to listening volume. That kept the buzzing fairly tame at normal listening volumes.

Any other suggestions would be great.

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