Macbook Air (mid-2012) hdmi issues - interferes with bluetooth and more

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Level 1

51 points

Macbook Air (mid-2012) hdmi issues - interferes with bluetooth and more

Unpacked my new mid-2012 Air with 8g RAM this morning and had run up against problems with HDMI support on the Air.

Biggest issue is when I connect my Air to external BenQ 24" HD screen with Apple HDMI cable - picture quality is poor (being kind here) but when connected using DVI cable, picture is crisp - NO comparison in picture quality - HDMI image quality ex Air is garbage. Text is soft/fuzzy and colours washed out, colour profiles make minimal to nil difference to picture quality. Swapped to DVI cable and image is HD crisp and colours spot on.

Second issue - is when monitor is connected with HDMI cable, my Bluetooth keypad and trackpad (both Apple) refuse to wake the Air - I need to manually open the Air to wake from sleep. This problem also goes away when I use the DVI cable. The Bluetooth Pref pane sees both as connected, but the Air refuses to recognise any input from either the trackpad or the keyboard. Connect the monitor using DVI and all is sweet - instant wake from sleep and all inputs recognised.

I spoke with Apple Tech Support (Aust) this morning and resetting PRAM fixed a third problem I had with bluetooth keyboard/trackpad not maintaining connection with Air, but the issue of HDMI poor video quality/preventing bluetooth was not solved.

Would like to hear if anyone else is seeing this, will forward this to apple feedback also.

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.7.4), (mid-2012) 8GB RAM

Posted on Jun 19, 2012 7:23 PM

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Answer 1

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Jun 19, 2012 8:03 PM in response to EJW Tas

For your first issue, did you check the resolution in your Dsiplays system prefererces for the hdmi monitor?

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Answer 2

EJW Tas Author

Level 1

51 points

Jun 19, 2012 8:17 PM in response to X423424X

Hi - yes, the reolution and refresh were set correctly, but the text was particulalry soft and the image definition was poor and washed out.

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Answer 3

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Jun 19, 2012 8:21 PM in response to EJW Tas

Any settings you have to do on the monitor?

If dvi works why not just use it? There's nothing to be gained by using the hdmi as the input. This keeps the hdmi connection free for a TV if you decide to do that.

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Answer 4

EJW Tas Author

Level 1

51 points

Jun 19, 2012 8:27 PM in response to X423424X

Am using the DVI cable because it doesn't interfere with Bluetooth, but wanted to use the HDMI cable as it allows sound through to BenQ screen, and it is a quarter the thickness/bulkiness of DVI cable.

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Answer 5

X423424X

Level 6

14,265 points

Jun 19, 2012 8:35 PM in response to EJW Tas

If the resolution and refresh are correct in the Displays then I would assume the problem is with the cable or the monitor itself. I cannot find the manual for that monitor (since you didn't actually provide a model number) so I can't check the manual to possibly suggest things you might do on that side (if anything).

So my suggestion is to take your MBA and cable to the nearest apple store and see if they have a monitor or TV that you can test out there. You are still under applecare so there should be no problems having apple check it too. They may also have some ideas on the BT problems as well.

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Answer 6

EJW Tas Author

Level 1

51 points

Jul 8, 2012 10:38 PM in response to X423424X

sorry - been away so couldn't reply sooner.

I have tried multiple cables and a couple of DVI-HDMI adapters and all show the same result.

The screen is a BenQ GL 2440, and works perfectly with DVI cable. Resolution and refresh rate all ok, as is Colour Profile.

I have two of these screens - the other is connected to mid-2010 Mini by HDMI and that setup if ok. Swapping over cables and connectors etc confirms the problem source if the Air rather than the screen or cables/adapters.

not impressed with brand new, out of the box Air...

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