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User profile for user: Serpento
Serpento Author
User level: Level 1
2 points

27" Cinema Display Sound Issues

My apologies for posting about an issue that has already been covered but I think it is important to highlight what seems to be a pervasive issue with this otherwise awesome display.

Like others, mine worked b-e-a-utifully out of the box. A few days into it however, the sound stopped. I have tried the "unplugging for 15 seconds" trick and it is a temporary fix. I also tried, at the suggestion of Apple Supports, restarting the computer and holding down the command, option, "r" and "p" keys simultaneously until you hear two beeps. That is also a temporary fix.

I want to echo the advise to call Apple Support every time this happens to ensure this issue gets the attention it deserves.

Apart from this very annoying issue, this is one sweet display. I watched Avatar on it the first night just to test it out. I only intended to watch a few minutes but ended up watching the whole thing. Terrific! Of course that was when the sound worked.

Mac Pro Intel, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 11, 2010 12:10 PM

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386 replies
User profile for user: theBigD23
theBigD23
User level: Level 1
35 points

Oct 11, 2010 4:15 PM in response to Serpento

I have two sound issues, but it's a little different than described here.

1. Sound stopped working and using the up and down volume keys, system would give me a pinwheel and change the sound, but nothing would come out. I had to unplug the monitor to make the sound work again.

2. A smaller issue is that hitting the up and down volume keys, there is a slight delay when going up and down volume when hearing the "poing" sound. I switch the output to my also connected 24" and there is no issue.
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User profile for user: Serpento
Serpento Author
User level: Level 1
2 points

Oct 11, 2010 5:30 PM in response to theBigD23

Yeah, I have the same issue. When I hit the volume up or down button on my keyboard, there is a delay of anywhere from 2 seconds to 10 seconds before the volume graphic pops up. But there is not the normal popping sound to give you a clue as to how loud or soft you just made the volume.

Also, video on youtube and other video sources are very jerky with no sound. This continues until I remove the power cord for 15 seconds to reset the system.
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User profile for user: flipperfeet
flipperfeet
User level: Level 1
14 points

Oct 12, 2010 4:30 PM in response to Serpento

I had the same issue. Display worked perfectly for two days; I came back to work in the morning and no sound. Called Apple support, was told to disconnect everything and shut down computer and unplug display for three minutes. Upon restart everything worked fine, it has not reoccured.

Symptoms:
No sound output through the display
No sound input through the display
Sluggish response (6-7 seconds) to keyboard volume control, spinning beach ball between actions, on-screen volume indicator displays change but no audio
Sluggish response (6-7 seconds) to slider control within preference panel, spinning beach ball between actions, sliders moves but no audio
Preference panel input peak volume indicator in no responsive with Display USB
Preference panel input peak volume indicator freezes at peak when switching from internal mic to Display input.

Hope this is addressed, as it is one sweet display.
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User profile for user: Futoryan
Futoryan
User level: Level 1
4 points

Oct 12, 2010 6:11 PM in response to flipperfeet

Hey everyone -

My USB audio symptoms are the same as flipperfeet. I'm running a Mac Pro 1,1 with an ATI 5770 powering the display via the MDP.

I installed Pandora One (Adobe Air app) and suddenly the USB Display audio stopped working. At first I assumed it was buggy Adobe code (isn't it always?).

The fix for me was unplugging the USB and MDP cable for 15 seconds or so..


I really like this display and hope it's a driver issue and I don't have to replace the entire unit.
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User profile for user: gambcl
gambcl
User level: Level 1
0 points

Oct 14, 2010 1:23 AM in response to Serpento

Same for me too.

Audio stops working after a few hours and unplugging/replugging the monitor power cable is the only way I have been able to restore it.

I have also seen the very sluggish volume display when pressing the volume up/down keys on the keyboard.

Looks like a duff driver in the LED Cinema Display software update. Let's hope v1.1 will come along to fix it.

BTW, where is the feedback form people are using to report this to Apple?
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User profile for user: Michael Moriconi
Michael Moriconi
User level: Level 1
25 points

Oct 14, 2010 6:38 AM in response to gambcl

I've been calling Apple directly to report the problem. That way you'll be given a case number and won't have to "re explain" the issue to every new person you speak with. Happened to me for the first time yesterday. The unplug, reset, worked, and now this morning the sound is down again. Everything else works fine (camera, microphone, USB ports) but the sound is down. I'm calling them again today to keep them focused. lol
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User profile for user: xispec
xispec
User level: Level 1
0 points

Oct 14, 2010 9:33 AM in response to Serpento

I use my Bose Companion 5s with my Mac Pro Early 2009 and stumbled upon forums that reported the problem with the issue of the 27" LED ACD sound issues. I went ahead and switched the audio from the Bose USB to the Display USB and now I'm having problems controlling the volume from the keyboard which is extremely delayed in response and results in no sound coming out of the display at all. I would hit the Volume Up and Down and sometimes the screen volume indicator would respond 2-10 second delays and would even mute from time to time when I didn't hit the Mute.

This is quite surprising to me as an issue like this has occurred on the new Display. Might go to the Apple store and see if this is a symptom on their display monitors too. It's a great monitor and everything but with this sound issue, I am kind of disappointed. May have to call it in for a refund or exchange nearing my 14 day return policy.
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User profile for user: Craig-O
Craig-O
User level: Level 1
0 points

Oct 14, 2010 11:01 AM in response to Serpento

Okay,

I'm on my 3rd display from Apple. Same sound issues. My newest display has the same problem. After working with the engineering group in CA for a few days, we finally land on SMC issues. (Apple sent my "bad" monitors back to a special group tackling this very issue as specimens.)

I've applied this procedure to my MBP: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
(I did mine about 3 times just to make sure it was reset.)

So far, so good. Before, I would loose sound after about an hour. The USB based sound card in the display seems to hang and stops responding to the OS. (hence the long delays after adjusting volume.)

I'll post back any updates I have.

Regards,
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User profile for user: Mictons
Mictons
User level: Level 1
8 points

Oct 15, 2010 12:10 PM in response to cabassi

Well here is my latest update, after 4 calls over a period of two weeks I just got off the phone with Apple support and they are sending me a new monitor. This makes me think this issue is not software related so if you are having this issue I suggest you get calling and call every time it occurs, that is what I did. I will let you know when I receive the new one and if it has the same issue.
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27" Cinema Display Sound Issues

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