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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

Oct 18, 2010 5:57 AM in response to Mark Delgrosso

Same issue for me - unplugging the monitor has helped for now. I will see how long this "fix" lasts before calling Apple Support.

Oct 18, 2010 8:41 AM in response to Serpento

I am experiencing this issue as well.

Oct 18, 2010 12:57 PM in response to Brad_The_Lucky

I logged a case with Apple Support. They had me reset the SMC. They said if it keeps happening to bring it in to my nearest store for further analysis. I think I'll wait a bit for a potential software update.

Oct 18, 2010 9:12 PM in response to flipperfeet

Follow up on my earlier comment. I purchased a second display for a different location and had an identical sound failure after attempting to switch from external speakers plugged into the earphone/audio out to the display sound. Unplugging the monitor for a period and plugging it back in remedied the situation and it has not reoccured in the last 24-hours.

Craig-O

Level 1

0 points

Oct 18, 2010 9:31 PM in response to Serpento

Okay, I give up. Apple support sent me a special utility to grab log files, sample data streams, etc. I shipped them the files and they can only admit that it's a problem and no one knows what's causing it.

After spending days on the phone and making trips to the Apple store to either replace the display or let a "Genius" tell me he didn't know what the problem was either, I decided to return the monitor.

I think I'll wait this one out until they figure out if it's the sound card in the display or a software glitch. (or both)

The only pattern I can see so far is that owners of newer MBPs (circa 2010 ala audio sent through MDP) don't seem to have the same issue. Of course I could be wrong.

I hope they figure it out soon 'cause I'd really like to have this one back.

Oct 20, 2010 8:05 AM in response to Serpento

I am also experiencing this issue. I also noticed the following Console message when the issue is in effect and I try to change the volume:

10/19/10 6:01:22 PM kernel USBF: 75053.200 AppleUSBEHCI[0xf3d0800]::Found a transaction which hasn't moved in 5 seconds on bus 0xfd, timing out! (Addr: 5, EP: 0)

Chester2

Level 1

9 points

Oct 20, 2010 12:58 PM in response to C Barclay

Same here today on Mac Pro.
Sound stopped after wake from sleep.

Restart didn't help, nor did switching over to the other Mini Display Port.

SMC fixed it, for now...

Oct 20, 2010 1:00 PM in response to Chester2

@Chester2

When you say SMC fixed it for now, do you still get the delay when using the Volume Up/Down keys? If you do, then it's still got issues and will eventually go out.

Oct 20, 2010 1:27 PM in response to theBigD23

I've had no issues for a solid day now since doing the SMC reset.

Oct 20, 2010 1:37 PM in response to Brad_The_Lucky

Thanks Brad. Does this include a fix for the lag with the up/down keys?

Oct 20, 2010 1:45 PM in response to theBigD23

Yeah - up and down reaction time is almost instantaneous. Fingers crossed that things keep working.

Oct 20, 2010 1:47 PM in response to Brad_The_Lucky

Is this the process?

1. Unplug/plug back the monitor.
2. Reset SMC
3. No problems?

If so, I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Oct 20, 2010 1:48 PM in response to theBigD23

Yes - that worked for me.

Oct 20, 2010 1:56 PM in response to Brad_The_Lucky

It will work - consistently, but the problem always returns. This time it took a week for it to return to my computer - but it did return.

chipchen

Level 1

0 points

Oct 20, 2010 8:50 PM in response to C Barclay

One of my users is having this same issue. Here's what I want to know:

1. Are there 27" displays out there NOT exhibiting this issue? As in, is this a problem with all 27" LED displays, or just a few?

2. This seems to mainly occur when systems go to sleep. What if you set your system to not go to sleep ever? Does this resolve it temporarily?

27" Cinema Display Sound Issues