27" Cinema Display Sound Issues

No. I didn't realise I had those problems in the first place, but now you mentioned it there were some unexplained beach balls when I had the problem.

I think I haven't run into it too often, because I don't sleep my Mac Pro very often, usually just shut it down.

I will try sleeping it some more and let you know whether the sound issue comes back or not.

I called Apple Support yesterday and reported the problem. The guy had me power off my Mac Pro and hold the power button for 7 seconds, which resets something but I'm not sure what. After that he had me re-install the Apple Cinema Display Update v 1.0. I got a case number, too. I was suspecting that the problem was related to the computer going to sleep, so we tried to trigger the problem by putting the machine to sleep by tapping the power button, and also by setting it to sleep in 1 min (which didn't seem to actually put the machine to sleep in 1 minute, just the display). We couldn't reproduce the audio problem in this way.

The audio on the display worked fine for the rest of the day (10 AM - 10 PM), even with some 1-2 hour sleep periods while I would go for lunch, etc. But upon starting up the machine this morning the audio wasn't working again. I called Apple Support with my case number and got to talk to a senior advisor. We tried to trigger the problem with various sleep methods again (sleep via the Apple menu, 1-minute sleep and waiting for 15 minutes or so), but could not re-trigger the problem. I told him about the log message I found related to this issue (posted above), and I emailed him my logs which he will show to an engineer. He said that after a few days they will call me back to let me know what they found out.

So, it seems the problem is related to long sleep periods, such as overnight. Has anyone observed the problem occurring with no sleep involved?

Despite whatever home-remedies you find to temporarily fix the problem, it would be best if everyone reported this problem to Apple Support so that we can motivate a fix. The senior support advisor let me know that the Cinema Display is not on his list of "emerging issues".

I'll post back when I hear from Apple Support again.

I have had my brand new Mac Pro running now for a month with none of these audio problems with the two 27" Cinema displays connected to it. Just yesterday, while working, I saw a message saying that audio was being disabled. I then noticed that audio was coming out of my second 27" display and not my first. I went to the Sound system preference pane and saw the two displays as output sources, but when I selected the first one, only silence. Switching back to the second monitor worked on that monitor. I switched cables (so my first monitor would look like the second) and that didn't work either. I swapped USB cables as well with no effect. I turned everything off for 5 minutes, did the SMC reset, and all is well.

I may have never seen this problem as I switch everything off through a power-strip every night. Don't know if that had an effect, but I never saw this until today. The computer had been turned on for over 48 hours as I was doing something quite involved with it, so let it stay on.

If this is a hardware problem, Apple's going to need to spend a lot of money fixing it. Hopefully, it will only be a software patch.

Listen up Apple! Please?

For me, I can confirm that it does not happen only if it is a sleep problem. My computer is set to stay awake 24/7 and the audio randomly cuts out for me. I do let me monitor to go to sleep after 10 minutes though.

Same symptoms as described by flipperfeet, but also my CPU peaking at 80% processor load and hitting 69 celsius. no programs running apart from iTunes 10 playing an AAC.
generally the CPU seems to be heating up irregularly since my 27" CD is connectected to the notebook.
3.06 GHz C2D, 8 GB DDR3, graphics switched to higher performance.
This needs to be fixed asap, or i'll have to return this beautiful display.

Just found the +LED Cinema Display Software Update 1.0+ (Topic: TS3520; http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3520?viewlocale=en_US). The problem fixed there isn't exactly what is described in this thread, but maybe it helps. Just downloaded the 'fix'.

Having the same problems with USB sound, any fix would not last more then a day and I tried them all.
Call Apple support just to let them know and that I have tried all the fixes with only temp success.

Got a call back within 5 min from Nathan at Apple support, used a data capture and set him the file. He said they are working on the problem.

I was sanning through them Main-Library-Prefferences and this file was over a year old, the new display/software had not updated it. I trashed it, restart, working fine for the past 2 days???????

com.apple.driver.AppleUSBDisplays.plist

Am big apple products consumer.

Same problem here. Please Apple have this fixed ASAP.

+1

Same problem here. need a fix

I'm having a similar problem. I bought a new Cinema Display about 3 days ago. The sound worked through the speakers on the display, then the next day failed. I downloaded the firmware update but that didn't help. I looked on this thread and unplugged everything for 20 or so seconds, powered back up and everything was fine.

Now, when I plug my headphones into my Macbook (in clamshell mode) sound still comes through my Display, not through headphones.

I love my Cinema Display, I can only hope someone at apple is listening and is doing something about this. If not, I guess I'll start racking up returns until they get the point.

Received my replacement 27" ACD from Apple last Friday, by Sunday was having the audio problem so it would appear this is not a hardware problem. I also confirmed with the Apple engineer that they do not read these forums so if you are having a problem with your display call them.

This does not mean that it "is not a hardware problem". They have made no changes at all to the monitor at this point, so if there is a hardware issue - you just got another one with that same issue. They are all that way. I would certainly like to think that this can be remedied with a firmware update, but there is no reason at this point to believe that this is not hardware related. I was offered a replacement monitor as well, but turned them down as I see no point in shipping monitors around when the new one will be exactly the same as the one that I have. If they identify a hardware problem, and fix it, then I'd be happy to take a new monitor. In the mean time it seems like a lot of hassle for nothing.

+1 😟
Same problem. Called Apple Support. Send them (also named Nathan - probably same guy mentioned in this thread) info captured with the tool they emailed. Sent me to Apple Store for replacement. Replaced. Issue returned in about 2 days. Still working with Apple Support on this - no luck yet. More of time waste. Another rep wanted me to bring display to store for more testing. Turned down.
Wanted me to setup new clean account and logoff/login to it when issue occurs. Does not look like they know what they are doing so far.

I was having the same issue as well with a 2009 13" MBP connected. The SMC reset did nothing, but unplugging everything, including the display from the wall socket and leaving it for several minutes, seems to have fixed it as I've had no issues at all since doing this three days ago.

@corksta: do you still have the lag of the volume keys? If so, the problem will probably come back. Many people have tried unplugging, waiting, and plugging back in. It usually comes back, even after some days. Please let us know if it continues to not be an issue.