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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

Serpento Author

Level 1

2 points

Dec 18, 2010 3:12 AM in response to Serpento

It's been three days since I applied the update and the sound is still working. Like others though, I never found the problem to happen on a consistent timeframe. Sometimes the sound would stop after several days, sometimes it would stop overnight. I think my record was 6 days with no sound issues so I will check in if and when I cross that mark.

gcaprio

Level 1

0 points

Dec 18, 2010 3:26 PM in response to Serpento

Well, I can honestly say the issue still happens. I just made an audio recording of it for Apple engineering, so hopefully they'll have some ideas. There was some talk that this was Skype related, but I just confirmed that Skype wasn't running. iTunes was the only thing on.

Jeki

Level 1

1 points

Dec 19, 2010 10:27 AM in response to gcaprio

Same here. I applied the patch the day it was released. Sound stuck around for a few days however today I sat down at my computer and no sound. I did not have Skype running either (it's installed on my computer but I don't use it).

Dec 24, 2010 4:35 AM in response to Jeki

I was having the same problem of the sound quitting every 2 - 3 days and having to unplug the monitor to get it working again. Installed the fix about a week ago and haven't had a problem since, so it seems to be working for me.

Dec 24, 2010 9:21 AM in response to Scott Lind

Same here. No issues with the built in USB sound since the firmware update.

Jeki

Level 1

1 points

Dec 24, 2010 3:53 PM in response to gcaprio

After being contacted by an Apple tech who is working on the solution for this issue I repeated the steps to installing the firmware update. I'm on day 4 and so far so good! Looks like running it again may have solved my problem. How awesome is it that you actually get a call from one of the techs at Apple who saw your post on the discussion board to help you resolve your problem. (Thanks Nathan!) I don't see any other companies with that type of dedication to their consumers. One more reason I'm proud to say "I'm so NOT a PC".

Serpento Author

Level 1

2 points

Dec 25, 2010 3:50 AM in response to Serpento

Merry Christmas all! It has been 10 days since the fix and I still have sound. I am laughing though because I cringe every time I hit the volume button, worried that it won't work. Looks like the monitor is working but that I still need a little therapy. Now, where did I put that scotch?

iLefty

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2010 7:25 PM in response to Serpento

Merry Chirstmas, I got my 27" Cinema Display and I love it. I plugged it in it worked great with my 15" Macbookpro. I got out to dinner have a great night, I come back to my Cinema Display sounds not working. I plug it into my 27" iMac to use it there. Works fine and Im happy.

Rich M.

Level 1

9 points

Dec 26, 2010 5:36 AM in response to iLefty

did you apply the new Patch that supposedly resolves the sound issue? I also have the 27" display and the patch appears to have fixed it.

stevizzy

Level 1

0 points

Dec 26, 2010 8:58 AM in response to Rich M.

I've had no problems since the patch was installed using my 13" Macbook. I was getting some distorted sound with iTunes but I've installed the "Pure Music" iTunes program. It's not free but if you burn CD's in AIFF at high bitrates for using with a high end music system it's worth every penny. It uses dithering to control volume, unlike iTunes that drops bits and information as you lower sound. The Patch and Pure Music solved my problems. Now I guess it's time for better speakers for the Cinema27. Any thoughts on a 3 speaker setup? Haven't made up my mind about the Bose Speakers yet....they look cool but seem way overpriced for the sound they produce.

ender3

Level 1

0 points

Dec 26, 2010 8:59 AM in response to stevizzy

11 days with no sound issue since the update.

I run Skype every single day as part of my job, and that does not seem to be a problem (I do run an old version of Skype, though, as the new one is a UI disaster).

Time to stop counting days. I don't think the problem is coming back.

iLefty

Level 1

0 points

Dec 26, 2010 9:31 AM in response to Rich M.

Rich M. wrote:
did you apply the new Patch that supposedly resolves the sound issue? I also have the 27" display and the patch appears to have fixed it.

No, I don't know how to do that. Could you help me there?

Rich M.

Level 1

9 points

Dec 26, 2010 3:19 PM in response to iLefty

@iLefty..All you have to do is run software update and you should see the LED Cinema Display Firmware update. You could also go to this link: http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1338 and download it from there.

Message was edited by: Rich M.

Smudge

Level 1

131 points

Dec 30, 2010 5:00 PM in response to Serpento

I am having audio problems with my display that seems to be similar to others here. I have applied the firmware update but it hasn't fixed the issue.

The "Display Audio" sound option via USB disappears from the Sound control panel. The "LED Cinema Display" option via DisplayPort is still available but when I select it, the audio doesn't come out until I mute and unmute.

The "Display Audio" option usually disappears after a long sleep of my 2010 MBP 15", but not always.

I usually have the "LED Cinema Display" (DP) option selected because if I select the "Display Audio" (USB) option and it disappears, the audio switches to the internal MBP speakers.

The "Display Audio" (USB) option returns if I disconnect/reconnect the USB cable. The rest of the devices on the USB chain connected to the back of the display work fine when the audio doesn't.

So, is this the same issue everyone else is having? Does your "Display Audio" via USB option disappear or does the audio just not play?

Jeki

Level 1

1 points

Dec 30, 2010 9:43 PM in response to Smudge

You might want to try running the firmware update again. The launcher is in the Utilities folder, the name is "LED Cinema Display Firmware Update". Make sure you get all the way to the end where it says the update was successful. The update didn't work for me originally but after I ran it a second time it fixed my sound. I too would lose the "Display Audio" option. Hope it helps you as well.

27" Cinema Display Sound Issues