27" Cinema Display Sound Issues

re: "[Mini DisplayPort sound output] is only supported by 2010 models".

That's not quite accurate. For example I know that 27" iMacs only supported Mini DisplayPort sound output starting in mid 2010 when the iMac line got minor upgrades, and I believe that the same is true for the Macbook Pro line. We have found it difficult to determine which Apple models do and do not support sound on Mini DisplayPort.

Also, please note that even with the latest-model Macs that DO "support sound" via the Mini DisplayPort this is not a particularly good solution for trying to work around the defect in the 27" LED monitor. The MDP connection does not appear to support anything but sound OUTPUT. If you connect the 27" LED display to your compatible Apple computer using ONLY the MDP (i.e. you DON'T connect the monitor's USB cable to the computer) you POSSIBLY won't have the sound failure and USB problems, HOWEVER you will not be able to use the microphone or iSight camera in the in 27" monitor.

We THINK that those functions are not supported via Mini DisplayPort because we've made tests and they don't work. Who really knows? Maybe these things are supposed to be supported and we're only seeing more hardware bugs in the 27" monitor.

+1 here in Canada. Using a Mac Mini 2 GHz Intel C2duo 4gb 1067 Mhz DDR3. Apple Led Cinema Display 27" 1 month old. The temporary fixes work, but I'm not happy. I didn't spent $1200 to live with a kludge. Looks like all the displays sold have this major issue. Should be a recall case. And since this forum is inside the apple website, they should come here and say something.

So disappointed Apple hasn't addressed this issue yet 😟

Come on Apple, there's so many of us here! We deserve to hear something regarding this problem.

Just to let you know that I had been speaking with a Senior Engineer at AppleCare and I was told last Monday to keep an eye on the Software updates as a fix would be coming "soon" but there was not a timescale. So it sounds like Apple are aware of the problem and working on a fix. Hopefully it won't be long now...

haha +1 in Germany: Brand new MacBook Air + 27" Cinema Display. Always have to unplug the USB-Cable to avoid the timedelay of soundlevelchange and get sound.

1. Display flickering problem under 6 Bars of brightness
2. Sound problem

..nice one Apple!

Just in order to complete the global village frustration.

+1 from Israel - no sound

Only that this screen costs almost 30% more here than in the US...

Boing! +1

Mee too, same problem of everyone!
We'll hope for a firmware or software update...
Apple, don't let us wait too long!!!

G.T.

+1 Add me to the list. Awesome display (if you don't mind constantly unplugging it to bring the sound back). I put in my call to Apple last night and was also told that they are aware of it and are still working on the solution.

My own personal fix to this issue is to use my Creature speakers and pretend that the display doesn't have built-in speakers (until Apple releases a real solution). Much easier than unplugging the display every time I want sound.

I got my Cinema27 last week and it's been working great with my MacBook 2.4G 4gb. Anyone check to see if the problem is coming from the MacBook where the sound originates or is the fault inside the Cinema27? I doubt if the problem is in the Monitor, something inside the sound card from the source is probably causing the issues. My setup is working fine except sometimes my download speed suffers using the laptop with the lid closed because the signal is a bit weak.

@stevizzy Please read the hundreds of posts regarding people with even up to 16 monitors at one location on different computer systems have the issue. People also on Windows/Boot Camp, multiple replacement monitors, and users like me with a 24" LED, connected to the same computer without any issues playing audio for over a year.

I didn't have time to read hundreds of posts. I decided to check this forum before I purchased my 27" display. I knew there was an issue but I figured if it was a problem for me, I'd return the monitor, wait until they fixed the issue then purchase it again. I only wanted to ask a simple question, give my feedback about how mine worked so far and try and learn something about the sound issue before I buy speakers.

The problem is many users on the forums are past their return periods and do not have the luxury as you do. I can guarantee you the problem is with the monitor and not with the systems people are using. I have two LED monitors connected, one always works, the other doesn't.

Have you taken the diagnosis another set by hooking up another USB source to the Monitor when it's not working in sync with the MacBook or whatever source you're driving it with? I'm just curious why some screens would just suddenly stop making sound from USB? Audio problems are usually pretty basic compared with video sync problems.

Sorry, I don't understand what you are asking. Though I have tried everything. In the posts above, you will also see that there are specific USB errors in Console when the sound cuts off. I've posted the errors I've received above and it happens every time, without fail. Other users have as well.
Only the Apple engineers know what is causing it and from some other posts, it looks like they are aware of it and hopefully a firmware update will be out soon.

I was in my local Apple dealer today and they had a 27 incher up on the bench disassembled. I got the OK to go in to speak to the tech. They were sending the logic board to Apple. The tech said he was not at liberty to say what the problem is but he explained it as a part failure that they are trying to bypass with a firmware change. So in layman's terms something the monitor does failed, so now they are trying to make the computer do it and bypass the failure. I asked why don't they just fix the part, all I got was a smile and then the tech rubbed his thumb and index finger together. Hmmm you figure it out.