TV App Shows Black Screen Playing Movie Mac Mini

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18 points

TV App Shows Black Screen Playing Movie Mac Mini

Hello Everyone,

I just purchased my first ever Mac Mini M1 and am loving it (and at the same time kicking myself for not buying an Apple computer earlier). I am having a problem with the TV app on my Mac Mini. Whenever I play a movie (purchased through Apple/iTunes), I can hear the audio, but I can't see video. The app opens the window for the movie, but it's just a black screen. I am running three LG 24MK600M-B 24" monitors. One monitor connected directly via HDMI, another using a USB-C to HDMI adapter, and the last using a StarTech USB32HDPRO USB3.0 to HDMI external video card. All monitors are working fine but the video won't show on ANY of the three monitors. However, if I am watching Netflix, or any other video, it plays fine on any monitor.

I have tried some google searches, but so far nothing seems to work. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Any help would be appreciated.

Here's a few details about my system in case it helps

Mac Mini (M1, 2020), 16GB Ram, 512GB SSD, macOS Big Sur ver11.4

Mac mini, macOS 11.4

Posted on Jun 3, 2021 1:11 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Scates Author

Level 1

18 points

Jun 5, 2021 5:31 PM in response to SnickZ.

Yes, I have restarted my Mac Mini. Since posting this message I have been able to narrow down the problem. I started by disconnecting all but the primary monitor (connected via HDMI) and playing a movie. The movie played and I was able to see the video. Then I attached the second monitor (connected to a USB-C port using a USB-C to HDMI adapter) and played the movie again. I was able to see the video. Then I attached my third monitor (connected using a StarTech USB32HDPRO external video card adapter (USB3.0 type A connector to HDMI)) and played the move once more. This is where it failed. The movie would not play on any screen. When I disconnected the StarTech video adapter, the movie would play properly. As you can see the problem is with the StarTech adapter.

I reached out to StarTech who says the problem with the DisplayLink chipset they use in the hardware, and referred me over to DisplayLink tech support.

DisplayLink Tech Support confirmed the issue and provided the following link which discusses the issue.

https://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/830301-content-protected-video-does-not-play-on-mac-while

They claim a fix is on their road map so the issue will be resolved eventually, but they did not specify a day when it would be resolved so I guess I am stuck waiting.

Hope this post helps anyone else who may be running into this issue.

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Answer 2

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Jun 4, 2021 12:13 PM in response to Scates

Hi Scates,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

We see that you are having an issue with watching a purchased movie in the Apple TV app. You can hear audio but there is no video. We want to help. Have you tried restarting your Mac mini and attempting again? If not, that would be a good first step. If. you still have an issue, you can follow the steps here that talks about If you can't stream or watch movies or TV shows from the Apple TV app, iTunes Store, or third-party apps - Apple Support

Reach back out with any questions.

Best Regards!

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