Mojave 10.14.5 iTunes full screen playback mode bug: black screen
Hello
I ran the Mojave 10.14.5 update on my Mac mini 2018 last week, and have since not been able to play any iTunes Movie Store movie in full screen mode. Not even after a complete reinstallation of the system, using a new computer account. I think 10.14.5 introduced a playback bug.
Problem:
iTunes “full screen movie playback mode” bug introduced in 10.14.5 (all fine up to 10.14.4) and/or iTunes 12.9.5.5 bug: movies in iTunes can no longer be played in Full Screen because the screen goes black.
System: Mac mini 2018 - macOS 10.14.5 Mojave - iTunes 12.9.5.5
Apple LED Cinema Display 27”
Symptoms:
When switching to full screen in iTunes when playing a movie from the Apple Movie Store, the screen will go black. It will show the content of the screen every few seconds in very short flashes (about a 5th of a second, I guess), and the soundtrack will keep on playing.
Moving the mouse cursor will show the screen again - but only so long as the control bar/time line bar in the bottom is visible. It will then go black again, right when the control bar disappears again.
Also, when the mouse pointer is placed on the control bar / time line in the bottom, the screen will not go black. That is, if you keep it there. But then you will need to view the movie with control buttons and time line exposed throughout the entire movie - not acceptable.
Viewing movie NOT in full screen: no problem. But obviously I want Full Screen.
Other possibly associated bugs since 10.14.5: when booting the Mac mini, and while showing the startup progress bar, the display will turn black several times. It sort of “stutters”. It did not do that prior to the 10.14.5 update.
Actions taken:
1. re-download movie; test purchased versus rented movies: no difference.
2. Mac SMC and NVRAM/PRAM reset: does not make a difference.
3. I then performed a “clean install” of my Mac:
- downloaded the latest greatest macOS 10.14.5 Mojave installer file
- created a bootable USB medium
- booted from installer key and completely wiped internal SSD
- performed a “clean install” of macOS 10.14.5 Mojave
- added a test user account, did NOT migrate any data or settings or apps from backup
- so what we have here is effectively a clean system with nothing but Apple’s standard apps - no third party apps/plug-ins/whatever and absolutely "standard settings"
- started iTunes and logged in to my iTunes account to access movie library. Played movies in full screen mode.
Result: exactly the same symptoms. Screen goes black. Movies can no longer be played in Full Screen mode.
I rent/purchase movies regularly through the iTunes Music store - about weekly. I own about 80 iTunes movies. I can no longer watch them, because no Full Screen = not good enough.
Does anyone out there experience the same problem? Anyone found a solution to the problem?
Thanks
Cheers
AstroWout
Mac mini, macOS 10.14