Mini display port to HDMI problem

In reply to myself...

The replacement cable from Apple works - at least in my preliminary testing. So, the first cable was indeed faulty.

I now discover two issues, one minor and one major.

The minor issue is that you cannot switch audio output from HDMI to default internal speakers (or visa-versa) on-the-fly with non-Apple apps. For example, with VLC I have to stop the video (not pause but stop) and then change the output.

The MAJOR issue is I have now discovered the dreaded "Dual monitors and fullscreen fiasco" that plagues OS X Lion. I sure hope Apple fixes this as it certainly renders dual screens useless that in full screen mode one is blanked out.

You have the display set in Extended Desktop mode. In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Justclick on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen. You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

Or if you want to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box.

You have the display set in Extended Desktop mode. In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen. You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.
Or if you want to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box.

OK, found a fix that worked for my husband and me. Seems like it might help some of the people in this forum.

Our Mac Mini is a few years old. We had it working great with LCD monitors for a couple years. We had to take it into the Apple store to get a part replaced (logic board, unrelated to monitor problem) and when we got our Mac Mini back and tried to get it going, it no longer recognized the LCD monitors. One monitor showed wallpaper but no icons, no dock, no way to get to preferences or other dropdowns. The other monitor would not connect at all. We unplugged and replugged everything in every configuration imaginable, and nothing worked.

In our case, we found the answer on Apple's web site. Turns out all we had to do was reset the PRAM. Tried it once, worked like a charm. Here is a link to the information on how and when to do it: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1895#

This solution worked great for us! Of course, this is our Mac Mini, into which we do not need to constantly unplug and replug monitors. Not sure if we will need to do a reset every time we unplug and replug the monitors, but since this is rare for us it's not really a problem. This solution may not be the ideal fix for every situation, but it worked for us. I hope this helps someone.

Just to add to your list; I also tried the newest Moshi adapter, and only image (without a correct display, cause image wont feet perfectly in my SHARP HDTV and also SAMSUNG HDTV both, 1080p) without any sound would display!!. Infact to watch a movie I have to put some external speakers to my MBP and the HDMI minidisplay port adaptor to the HDTV.

I also have the NewBelkin and have the same problem...

Really annoyed by this troubles, cause I`m also having problem with the airdisplay trhough my apple TV (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2776955?start=720&tstart=0) . it seems Apple don´t like to diplay HD content on HDTVs....

frustrated....

Thank you for the reply!

I confirmed that my model is this (which, stated by Apple, supports audio):

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP619

So, now I'm not sure why my TV would not show up as an output when I go to Sound or even the Midi utility.

I am beginning to believe this is an issue with Apple's MiniDisplay port and something in its copy protection circuitry.

I have a new 2011 Mac Mini and a new MacbookPro and both of them cannot display their screens on a Vizio E260MV (1080p res) via an MDP-->HDMI cable (integrated adapter). Since the Mac Mini has a true HDMI port, I can use a normal HDMI cable and it works with nice clarity.

But try to make either work with the cursed MiniDisplay port, and there's nothing but "no signal detected". If I unplug and re-plug in the cable from the TV, the mac's screens flickers but then fail to push a proper signal to the TV.

I blame Apple for this. What nonsense that we all have to do this song and dance to make a connection work, with failed cables, etc. MiniDisplay port serves no one but Apple. This fragile connector has go to go.

EDIT

Another discussion reply has suggestions from a DELL support forum.

I'll give it a try soon and post back.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3275720?answerId=17170417022#17170417022

You have the display set in Extended Desktop mode with the MacBook as the main screen. The Menu Bar and Dock will be on the MacBook display and your background screen on the TV but you can move the cursor onto the TV screen.

In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.

You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

Or if you want to use the MacBook’s keyboard and trackpad to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box.

To all of you that are still buying poor adapters listen carefully.

Apple does not send the audio and video in the same output. The optical out does not send any audio, and the other way around. You musy buy a converter for both sound and video seperately.

Example: Mini-Display port to DVI. Then, connect a DVI-DVI to your TV or other monitor etc. These cords are $15.00 and have worked for me endlessly. This also works with HDMI. NOTE!!!! Sound will not come through this cord.

You then have to connect from your 3.5mm out, to another port. If your monitor/tv has an input for this, use it. If not, you will have to get another adapter to send an audio signal.

COMMON PROBLEM: most TV's have an issue with the tv channel. Video 1, Video 2, AUX, etc. They are linked to one input, so if the video is going into one port and the audio into another, you will have to swith channels to get the result. Problem is, if you have sound you have no video.

Solution: If you are using a surround sound system, all inputs convein into one out signal, and there for properly wiring your system can eliminate the issue. The sound comes through the system and the video through the TV.

If you are not, Then you can use a cobination of video/audio adapters to get the right combination. 3.5mm to Red/White will convert sound fine. From there you need an adapter for the video that converts your mini-display to DVI. Then from DVI to Yellow. There is compatability issues with a simple converter, so read the reviews before purchasing. The DVI signal is different than the Composite signal. Here are a few links to the proposed items.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB202G/A/apple-micro-dvi-to-video-adapter

Or

http://www.bkstr.com/ProductDisplay/10001-36696-10064-69195022-1?demoKey=d

http://www.amazon.com/SF-Cable-Stereo-Splitter-PLATED/dp/B005OTLD80/ref=sr_1_21? s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1350483439&sr=1-21&keywords=3.5+mm+to+rca

For a cheaper solution:

Simply keep your video connections as you have them, and connect your computer to a stereo system designed for computers. even cheaper versions will work.

Bottom line is that audio and video are sent through different ports on MAC, but PC's send them through the same port. Therefore when you read an HDMI cable and it says that it also accepts sound, It still won't work, becasue your computer isn't sending the sound.

I hope this helps, its a simple fix, but usually contains a lot of wires, so be neat.

I will attempt a diagram and post at a later date.

Good luck

actually - no - that only sums up a part of the problem..

here's my post from back in August... notice several things..

first, I'm running Snow Leopard, but had the same issues with Lion.

Second it's not just an HDMI issue - I've tried other converter cables.

Third, it's not a matter of the brand of the cable - I tried all the variations.

and fourthly, and most importantly, I used this same system with no problems for over 2 years... and then it suddenly just stopped working and gave me the "No Signal" message.

I had done nothing different - no upgrades, no rebuilds...nothing... one day it worked, the next it didn't.

here's my own case..

Just what I need in my life - another darned techmystery...

For over two years, I have had a MDP/HDMI adapter plugged into the back of my trusty intel iMac and then into my LG widescreen, via an HDMI cable.... and all was just peachy...

Yesterday, without having changed anything at all, I got the dreaded "no signal" message on the TV...

I adjusted the cables... plugged and replugged, fixed permissions, ran applejack, repaired discs, unplugged all the TV connections and power and then did the same for the computer... and then, after ten minutes, plugged it all back in.

nothing changed.

I tried it again, using all the various combinations of the order that I connected all the various permutations of cables and adaptors and on/off switches an channel selectors....

I searched the internet, including this thread.. I reset PRAM and SMC.. no joy.... I discovered that I do not have either the "Mirror Displays" or "Arrange wndows" options under the "Display prefs" but I have no idea if I USED to have those settings - because I never had cause to look for them before.

I ran the same HDMI cable to my Sky box - it workd perfectly...

and so, after reading everything I could find, the consensus was that it MUST be the MD/HDMI adaptor...

so I took two buses to my local Apple reseller and dropped £25 on a brand new adaptor.... and then took two busses back home, quietly confident that all would now, finally, be back to normal.

Confidently plugged it all in.. and got exactly the same response... a brief flash of imac blue screen and then return to iMac desktop normal.. and still the "no signal" mssage on the TV.

I backed up, reinstalled the Snow Leopard system (Haven't moved on up to Lion yet) on a blank partition of the main drive, ran and installed all the updates and nothing has changed.

In other words, for no reason at all, a perfectly functioning, long standing computer to TV monitor operation system has gone Kapputt....

I shall have to SOMEHOW find a workaround, but would appreciate someone (Apple maybe) deternining just what the heck happened and why and, of course, how to fix it...

and very lucid an explanation - thank you for that

BUT..

in my own particular case the problem isn't HDMI per se.. I gave up on HDMI and tried buying an MPD to VGA adaptor - with exactly the same results.. I've now tried all the adaptors that can stick into this silly MDP with three different kinds of TV/Monitor.. and get the same result.. a blue screen for a coupla seconds and then "no signal" and no option to mirror.

It's some kinda hardware glitch....

so I had my local authourised Apple reseller call down to their repair shop in Exeter and was quoted a price of £785 to repair/replace the port strip.. and a price of £690 to simply send the part for me to replace it myself.

All info I can find tells me that this port strip is a daughter board and yet the repair facility swears that the expense is because it's the motherboard that needs replacing...

I think I'll stick to my original plan B and buy another UPnP media box and plug it into the TV.

I have a mid-2012 MacBook Air. Ever since I got it I, whenever I hooked it up to my Panasonic plasma TV the picture flashed to black every 8 seconds. I have bought about 7 hdmi to miniDisplayport adapters, none of which worked (and all of which worked with my wife's mid 2011 MacBook Pro). I have tried almost all of the suggestions on this post. Today I finally got it to work, and it was reproducible multiple times with different adapters. The frustratingly easy fix:

1. Plug in the adapter. The screen on the TV flashes as usual.

2. Sign out (with the adapter still plugged in)

3. Sign back in

4. It flashes once, then it works! Finally! No more flashing.

To get the audio to work I had to go to Utilities, MIDI Audio, HDMI, and configure the speakers, then sign out (once again), and sign back in. This is described in detail here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2639905?start=0&tstart=0

Hope this helps.

You have the display set in Extended Desktop mode with the MacBook as the main screen. The Menu Bar and Dock will be on the MacBook display and your background screen on the TV but you can move the cursor onto the TV screen.

In System Preferences>Display on the MacBook screen there should be an Arrangement tab when you have the MacBook hooked up to the TV and both screens working. When you click the Arrangement tab do you see two monitors side by side? One of them will have a Menu Bar at the top. Just click on the Menu Bar and drag it to the second monitor. That will make the second monitor your main screen.

The TV will now have the Dock and Menu Bar and windows will open on it. But you can move the cursor to the MacBook screen and move windows from the TV over to the MacBook screen.

You can now use your MacBook in Clamshell Mode with a wired or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3131 When you disconnect from the TV your Menu Bar will automatically change back to the MacBook.

Or if you want to work on the MacBook screen while showing it on a TV you can check the Mirror Display box on the lower left hand side of the Arrangement tab under the two monitors box. That will give you the same screen at the same resolution on both the MacBook and the external monitor.

@Locky, elly, fambam

As many people have opined here, there seems to be a problem in getting the adaptor to work for long. The only stable solution is to ditch the adaptor(however new and costly it is) and get a direct thuderbolt/mdp to hdmi cable. The solution has been working for me for the last 3 months.

Adaptor - MDP male to HDMI female - Does not work or fails frquently

Cable - MDP male to HDMI male - works well though not approved by HDMI

From apple store @ $45

http://store.apple.com/us/product/HA343ZM/A/belkin-mini-displayport-to-hdmi-cabl e-2-meter?fnode=51

From Amazon @ $13

http://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-15ft-32AWG-DisplayPort-Cable/dp/B003L18YG2

From ebay @ $ 15

http://www.ebay.com/itm/350478304838

I was having the same problem, no detection of connected HDMI display on a Macbook Pro Late 2011 17".

It was the adapter. I then got the iWires MiniDP to HDMI adapter, and it worked plug 'n play with no configuration or messing around needed. Rather buy the adapters specifically supported by Apple, otherwise it really is hit and miss.

Here are the supported adapters:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4241

Hey I was having this same issue and was able to fix it. What i did was 1st make sure i was connected to power, 2nd, reset the PRAM and 3rd I started in Safe Boot. As soon as it booted in Safe Boot after PRAM reset it started working like magic. Not sure which step was the actual fix but i'll link both Apple kbase articles here to reset PRAM and Safe Boot. Let me know if this helps.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455