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Level 1

0 points

HDMI audio stops when screen sleeps

Setup:

Mac mini 2010 connected to Denon AVR 2311 via HDMI; video out from AVR to Samsung LED TV.

Background:

With Snow Leopard 10.6.8 installed, when the screen sleeps, the audio (from iTunes, Spotify, etc.) over HDMI would continue to function, even with no video output to the AVR.

Issue:

With Lion installed 10.7.2, when the screen sleeps, the HDMI audio is now stopping too. To prevent the audio from stopping, I have to set the screen sleep to never, which is undesireable.

Is this behaviour expected with Lion and HDMI output? Are others experiencing this issue?

Many thanks,

Daryl

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.2)

Posted on Nov 5, 2011 5:28 AM

39 replies

Jan 14, 2012 9:11 AM in response to bbqchckn

Just posting to say exact same issue. More user issues quicker fix?

Jan 21, 2012 5:14 AM in response to RadioactiveMan235

Just adding my voice to the chorus. I have the same setup (with a panasonic soundbar), and hdmi audio gets cut off whenever the screen goes to sleep in Lion. I'd thought the problem might be the graphics card switching back to integrated or something, but I turned off automatic switching and issue remains.

Apple: please fix asap.

Planis83

Level 1

0 points

Jan 30, 2012 1:24 PM in response to bbqchckn

I have exactly the same problem.

My setup is MBP early 2011 >> MiniDisplay/Thunderbolt to HDMI-cable >> H/K AVR 255 >> LED flatscreen.

I hadn´t this problem with SL installed, but when i upgraded to Lion the sh*t hit the fan.

I have solved the issue temporary by setting the screen to never go to sleep but activated the screensaver after 5min.

I really hope that Apple solves this issue very soon.

Jan 31, 2012 3:33 AM in response to Planis83

Well, I'd like to share my workaround as well. I left everything as it was (5, 10 mins for saver and off). Everytime I play music through the HDMI I turn on a little gadget called Caffeine. It temporarily disables all the above settings and pumps your Mac with "caffeine". Therefore it never goes to sleep or screen saver. One click then and it's turned off, I am back at normal, no need to reset anything.

I think you can even download the Caffeine from the official Mac website, not sure.

Kymbo59

Level 1

13 points

Feb 19, 2012 3:09 AM in response to lukasfrompraha

Hi All....Same issue here...same symptoms all was working fine untill Lion!

I have 2010 MAc Mini with HDMI connection to Sony TV.

With loin, the HDMI audio now drops when the display switches off... this was not the case with SL...

Work around...well it works for me....use 'VISUALIZER" when playing music...'command-T'

Give it a go!

Feb 25, 2012 10:20 AM in response to bbqchckn

I have the exact same issue.

I've never posted to a Mac forum before. Does anyone from Apple respond here or is this just a conversation?

On a side note:

If you have the display (an computer by default) to never sleep and let your screesaver activate, but select "put hard disc to sleep when possible" in energy saver how does that differ from the computer going to sleep?

Thanks!!

solidem

Level 1

0 points

Feb 27, 2012 11:55 AM in response to bbqchckn

I just bought a mac mini and my jaw dropped to the floor when I understood this is how it works.

I too have one HDMI to my receiver, which in turn goes to my 5.1 and lcd tv.

Apple, please take care of this asap.

riiiic

Level 1

6 points

Mar 4, 2012 3:27 PM in response to solidem

Thaks!!! I found you and found the problem, I was getting crazy!!! I think my system was broken....

But now I unplugged the HDMI and itunes doesn't stop anymore.

Why does apple do this ?

Monitor sleep is not meaning HDMI audio sleep...... to me. If you write MONITO SLEEP must be monitor SLEEP not HDMI SLEEP. It's 40 minutes that I try to undestand this, because I was beliving the cause was itunes o the playback or lion...

The problem is Lion.. the worst MAC OS, EVER