Conecting Mac Mini to amplifier via HDMI

Hi there. It sounds like either your TV or the AV receiver is having an issue with the output signal of the Mac mini.

Firstly, which Mac mini do you have?

Check it’s supported resolutions and refresh rates, and that both your AVR and TV support them.

TVs will often only support certain resolutions/refresh rates on specific HDMI ports. Ensure you’re using the correct port to connect your AVR and TV.

Ensure you’re using HDMI cables that can support the desired resolution. HDMI 2.0 or 2.1.

Lastly, you may have to go into the menus/options of your TV/AVR and change parameters, or disable any signal processing the TV or AVR is doing.

You appear to have a similar setup to myself. In my setup I have my 2018 Mac mini connected to a Philips 65”4K TV (65PUS6703) via my Denon AVRX-2400H AV receiver over HDMI.

Which model of Mac mini do you have?

Older Mac mini models i.e. 2014 and earlier have very limited HDMI ports which only support HDMI 1.4. As a result they can only do 4K at a maximum of 30fps. This could explain your symptoms.

The newer Mac mini 2018 does support HDMI 2.0 and should have more chance of success.

Another option is to get an active Displayport to HDMI 2.0 adapter like one of the following.

https://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2339/mini_displayport_1.2_to_hdmi_2.0_active_adapter/

https://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2349/usb_3.1_type_c_to_hdmi_2.0_uhd_active_adapter/

Assuming you do solve your main problem be aware that if you tell your amplifier to switch to a different input i.e. away from the Mac mini then the Mac mini will lose the handshake signal from the TV and amplifier. As a result the Mac mini will switch its sound output back to its internal speaker. This can be solved but requires an extra piece of hardware like the following.

https://www.gefen.com/product/hdmi-detective-plus-EXT-HD-EDIDPN

It’s only $200 and designed specifically for connecting to TVs and AVRs. The mini not that much. Plus Apple TV supports ATMOS like your Sony. So give it more consideration, this box of tricks can make your Sony dance to all her tunes like you never imagined.

At any rate, what’s the make and model of your TV? First, make it work with direct connect: mini to TV, no AVR. Disable gimmicky settings on the TV like Game mode, Eco, sleep etc. Use an HDMI-certified cable not longer than 3 feet. Once that works, you can try and introduce the AVR. It may work all of the time, some of the time or not at all.

Let’s cross that bridge when you get there. All the best!

Before you get started, do upgrade the firmware

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/downloads/00016209

Then work through settings to disable:

Bluetooth

3D

Advanced Contrast Enhancer

Power Saving

Start with 1080/60p and work your way up. Ditto with disabled settings, turn on in sequence if everything works right and stop when it doesn’t. When you have a known, stable direct connection, you can introduce the AVR.

As I mentioned, the mini isn’t (is no longer) a natural for hooking to home cinemas, so it’s best to start small and grow your way up. Except for the HDMI cable, keep it as short as possible and use a wired configuration for keyboard and mouse.

Good luck.

You can get sound and vision from the HDMI port at the same time on the Mac mini. Your original message suggests the video is having a problem.

As I explained the HDMI port on older Mac mini models cannot do 4K at 60fps and if your TV is a 4K model this may cause this sort of symptom. The workaround of using an active Displayport to HDMI 2.0 adapter may solve this as HDMI 2.0 supports 4K at 60fps - unlike the old Mac mini models which only have a HDMI 1.4 port built-in.

The latest Mac mini 2018 should have a HDMI 2.0 capable port so should not have a problem.

Instead of the mini, connect an Apple TV 4K and use AirPlay to stream from the mini to the TV. It’ll work flawlessly.