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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 27, 2010 12:34 PM in response to theBigD23

Has anyone tried this in a Windows environment with either Boot Camp or using the monitor on a Windows PC? It would be easier to diagnose if it also happens on Windows. Won't need an OS patch. Either a firmware for the hardware or an entire replacement.

corksta

Level 1

4 points

Oct 27, 2010 12:36 PM in response to theBigD23

No lag with the volume keys at all. I'll post again if it does stop working, and if it stays away.

In my situation I have a friend with a 2010 MBP so when he brought his over I turned my laptop off and unplugged it, connected his one to see how fast the i5 is to my one, when we finished I connected my laptop back up again and no issues since then.

MrPles

Level 1

0 points

Oct 27, 2010 12:50 PM in response to theBigD23

at least mac mini users seems to encounter the same issue:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2602781&tstart=15

my display is working kinda fine since i installed the software update, but bizarrely Skype keeps ringing through the MBP - despite adjusting preferences in Skype.

MrPles

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2010 10:47 AM in response to MrPles

and me again...
after one week ACD muted again. SMC reset fixed it.

This is an unacceptable situation. Apple, fix this!

corksta

Level 1

4 points

Oct 28, 2010 11:27 AM in response to Serpento

OK so that lasted three days - got up this morning and back to the same problem as before, I can't understand why.

So my understanding is we have three options:

1. Put up with it and wait for Apple to release a fix.
2. Never put the computer to sleep.
3. Buy a 2010 MacBook Pro which supports audio out via the MDP. Seems the 2010 models don't have any issues at all.

This is ridiculous having to unplug it each time it happens.

Oct 28, 2010 1:13 PM in response to corksta

My computer never goes to sleep and I have the same issue. It does look like it's a USB issue. Hopefully it can be fixed via firmware. I haven't heard anything back from Apple. I'm sure they're working on it. Either we need to get new units if it cannot be fixed through a firmware/software upgrade or they will release an update.

Serpento Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 28, 2010 5:32 PM in response to Serpento

I have had several conversations with a Senior support person over the last couple of weeks. I have been sending log files after each time the sound issues happen. No fix yet.

Doesn't Apple monitor these forums? Surely someone who can speak to it has seen this or other posts like it. Any response from them?

Oct 28, 2010 9:02 PM in response to Serpento

I'm having the inability to use the built-in monitor speakers with my 2009 MBP 13". i just applied the 1.0 update for the Cinema Display 27" and now its even worse! The sound lasted about 10 minutes then it cut out right away. Now in preferences I can't even select the monitor as an output, the selection just moves automatically back to the headphone-out jack on the laptop. i'm going to call support tomorrow.

Oct 28, 2010 9:47 PM in response to avidwriter

I've been talking to a Level II tech at Apple, but nothing the last couple of weeks. I'm sure they're working on it and something will happen sometime soon.

Anyone tried it on Windows yet?

It also looks like people on newer Macs using MDP for the audio do not have this problem. You do have to plug in the USB for brightness controls and for the USB ports on the back of the monitor. Anyone using MDP for the audio can confirm if you have sound or volume up/down issues when using the MDP audio and also have the USB plugged in?

Oct 29, 2010 8:45 AM in response to theBigD23

I also have the issue - seems to be worse after the display goes to sleep overnight. Nothing I do with the mac pro will bring the audio from the display back, I have to unplug the power to the monitor to get the audio driver to work again.

Oct 29, 2010 12:25 PM in response to Serpento

Same issue.

I'm getting tired of unplugging my display every few days to work around the issue.

Oct 29, 2010 3:08 PM in response to Serpento

i just got off the phone with support and they're telling me they can't send a new monitor to me (mine is only 2 days old) and they expect me to drive at least an hour away to a apple service provider. i'm not about to go driving around the state for a brand new $1000 monitor that should work out of the box. did anyone else get a monitor shipped to them? she said it "wasn't even an option" for her to do with a Cinema display. that doesn't sound quite right.

Message was edited by: avidwriter

yfdt

Level 1

0 points

Oct 29, 2010 3:22 PM in response to avidwriter

They offered the option of display replacing via mail to me, but I was supposed to send it first and it was just easier to drive to the Apple store and get the replacement immediately.

The bad thing that new one still has the same problem and it does not seem like just my bad luck - there are few people on this thread who have this issue after replacing it.

Oct 29, 2010 3:26 PM in response to avidwriter

I've also been offered to have my monitor replaced by mail. However, there is zero point to doing this. You will just get another monitor with the same problem. From what I've been reading, every person that has one (or more) replaced, has the same issue. Either a firmware will be released or they will fix it at the hardware level. It is then safe to replace it. Don't waste your time replacing a monitor. You'll have the same issue.

yfdt

Level 1

0 points

Oct 29, 2010 3:37 PM in response to theBigD23

I think there is still a point replacing it. Hopefully that will send right message to Apple better than just our opened support cases. So there is a value for community 😉

I was thinking about replacing it weekly until it is fixed, but too lazy for that.

27" Cinema Display Sound Issues