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Serpento Author

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

386 replies

Ryan3587

Level 1

39 points

Nov 13, 2010 5:27 AM in response to Serpento

I believe that I fixed mine by deleting those preference files as listed above... Since I run SoundSticks, I really do not need the sound coming through the monitor... However, my issue was the mic not working in iChat... It kept going out every 15 minutes or so... I would unplug/plug back in, it would fix it for a short time, then right back to issues...

Once deleting those preference files and restarting my Mac Pro, non-issue! I'm on day two! Personally I believe it is a software issue and Apple keeps replacing these monitors thinking it's hardware... Not too bright!

sgginc

Level 3

676 points

Nov 13, 2010 6:12 AM in response to Ryan3587

Deleting the Prefs and restarting did not work for me.

Thanks ... Ken

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,631 points

Nov 13, 2010 6:50 AM in response to sgginc

I am also on days ok after doing the following
1. Change the Midi setting to 48K and 24 bits

2. Reinstall the OS 10.6.5 Combo

3. Trash the .plist as suggested

1.2 Kube

Level 1

25 points

Nov 13, 2010 9:54 AM in response to Serpento

Maybe you can get the audio to work by dicking around deleting files and changing settings but I didn't spend $1099 to have to play around to get it to work. I bought the display so I could increase my work productivity with a dual display setup not waste time trying to fix something that came defective out of the box. I returned it this morning for a FULL refund and am using a second 20" I bought on eBay for $150. Maybe I'll just keep the two 20 inchers and use the refund for something else. Why can't Apple post to this thread to say they are working on it? Maybe they are sitting back watching this thread hoping someone stumbles upon a fix? I'm ****** off I spent $1099, several trips back and forth to the Apple Store and wasted my time on something that obviously was not thoroughly tested.

Fjank

Level 1

9 points

Nov 15, 2010 3:30 AM in response to Serpento

Just called Apple support to report the same issue with my display. They suggested the update (which I already had) + the reset. Of course I was unable to duplicate the problem while on the phone... guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Nov 15, 2010 6:09 AM in response to Serpento

I deleted the prefs. I set the audio midi to 48000/2-24... and it fixed the issue for about 5 days. It came back last night... powered down, unplugged, powered up, fine again... broke again this morning. 😟

So the prefs/midi thing did help, but it wasn't a final solution. 😟

Nov 15, 2010 10:57 AM in response to Hank Driskill

Hi. Not sure if this has been posted, but this display exhibits the exact same problems when connected to a PC running windows 7. The behavior of the volume controls is also identical. Unplugging the monitor or connections will provide a temporary fix as well. Audio via mini-displayport stutters, and changing the output frequencies does not appear to alter these issues.

Nov 15, 2010 11:45 AM in response to MacDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

The fix for deleting preferences lasted quite awhile for me. About 5 days I believe as well, but this morning, I do not have audio anymore from the speakers. I have the same MAJOR lag when clicking up/down on the volume.

From the previous post, it looks like deleting preference files will not do anything long term as the exact same issue is occurring on Windows. It's going to be a firmware fix or replacement of all monitors.

Nov 15, 2010 12:34 PM in response to theBigD23

STILL NO UPDATES? :massive sigh:

1.2 Kube

Level 1

25 points

Nov 15, 2010 1:45 PM in response to Serpento

Returned mine to the Apple Store, including the graphics board I had to buy as my older Mac Pro doesn't have mini display ports and got a FULL refund. Then went to BestBuy and picked up a Samsung BX2335 to use for 14 days before I return it. Hopefully in the next 14 days the issue will be fixed and I'll buy a new Apple 27 inch again.

1.2 Kube

Level 1

25 points

Nov 15, 2010 2:13 PM in response to Serpento

Anyone know if this issue effected the 24 inch displays?

Nov 15, 2010 7:56 PM in response to 1.2 Kube

I've never heard of it affecting the 24" models.

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,631 points

Nov 15, 2010 8:01 PM in response to jamesryanbell

I have just past the 5th day, it is still running fine.

Just to repeat what I had done:-

1. Set the output to 48/24
2. Reinstall 10.6.5 combo repeat combo
3. Trash the files

Fjank

Level 1

9 points

Nov 16, 2010 12:52 AM in response to Fjank

problem returned overnight - calling Apple support. *fingers crossed*

GaryB

Level 2

234 points

Nov 16, 2010 7:39 AM in response to Serpento

Same problem here.

90% sure it's related to sleep, although appears to occur randomly (i.e. it doesn't always happen). Also have a sneaking suspicion it can occur under certain circumstances when flipping between user accounts, but can't reproduce that either.

27" Cinema Display Sound Issues