Horrible colors on external monitor using macbook air(2012) with mini dp to hdmi

Specs:

• 11-inch, Mid 2012 MacBook Air
• Intel HD Graphics 4000 512MB
• OS X 10.8.2 (12C3006)

Using hardware calibration, the latest update has improved the colors dramatically on both the laptop display itself and through HDMI output.

Lapto LCD

Before:

After:

Comparison:

HDMI External Monitor

Before:

After:

Comparison:

Night and day.

I have exactly the same problem:

Laptop: MacBook Pro 13", Mid 2012

External Monitor: Samsung SyncMaster SA550 (HDMI input)

Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter: Moshi Mini DP to HDMI Adapter with Audio Support (H1824ZM in the Apple Store)

Colors are generally washed out, very low contrast, very high brightness, some fonts are distorted.

As far as I can tell, 10.8.1 has made no difference on a mid 2012 11" MBA using HDMI output to a Samsung S23B550. The color gamut is still tiny.

Here's a gamut comparison against a profile generated using a Mid 2009 13" MBP (NVIDIA GeForce 9400M) on the same display:

Hello,

here is my display panel for the second monitor (you can see the colors/crisp also)

i have upload my Air Display color profile here :

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/21558205/Air%20Display-756E6B6E-0000-0717-0000-00005B81 C5C3.icc.zip

Hope to help you

regards,

Vangelis

I just hooked mine back up from mini > dvi to mini > hdmi and it seems to have fixed the color issue in this thread. I did not try tweaking anything prior to this update. I have attached a picture of my setup but it probably doesn't help with being able to see a difference.

So I tried the ruby script, and it didn't help. I also noticed that the screen (I don't know what you call it, shown below) is blurry. The rest of the desktops are fine, but the one with the sticky notes now looks like garbage (when running on my rMBP, NOT on the external monitor)

I have two external monitors. One is a 2312hm, one is an older Samsung. The Samsung is hooked up via displayport to VGA, and the Dell is hooked up via HDMI to DVI. Neither monitor saw improvement after running that script, and now stickies look like garbage even when running on the rMBP itself.

How can I reverse its effect?

I just sent an email off to Moshi technical support, and will update you guys when I get a response!

Hi,

I am having color and contrast problems with the Moshi Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter. I have a 2012 macbook air and have the problems with both my external monitors (HP 2310m and HP 2311m).

I have Mac OSX 10.7.4 and purchased the moshi adapter at the apple retail store.

I am not the only one with these problems as dozens have the exact same problems as discussed here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4080525?start=15&tstart=0

How can I fix this problem?

andresh99, i can confirm that the problem only exists when using hdmi (then also the resolution is "1080p" instead of "1920x1080"), the mini-dp to dvi option worked well for me, as well as using mini-dp to mini-dp on my imac.

seeing i loaded the so far only graphics related update for the 2012 mba right when i got it (http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1551) i dont know if there are additional issues for those who dont have this update.

Apple offers Mini Display Port adapters for just VGA and DVI. They do not offer an Apple Mini Display Port to HDMI because there are a lot of issues around this.

The new MacBook Pro Retina comes with HDMI, and Apple sells a iPad to HDMI 25 pin connector, but the rest of us are left with 3rd party solutions.

For now I would recommend users running into problems with 3rd party Mini Display Port to HDMI adapters to look at getting a Moshi, Griffin or iWires branded one that Apple lists as VESA display port compatbile. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4241

My Kanex Mini Display Port to HDMI adapter kind of works (blown out colors on my Samsung 27"), but I'm not happy with the quality of output from my Mac Pro.

For those of you running into issues I would encourage you to use Apple's official mini DisplayPort to DVI or VGA adapters until more is known about Apple's DisplayPort to HDMI issues.

I have tried closing my MBA 2012 lid and although it does move the main desktop onto the single external monitor it DOES NOT improve the colors. Its as though the display loses its dynamic range. The test page I use is this one from the Apple Store:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/cables

On a 'horrible colors' monitor you can't actually see the MiniDP to HDMI Moshi adapter (or any other MiniDP adapters) - the colors are so washed out that they're practically invisible.

I find it ironic that using one of those adapters renders them invisible 🙂

Now I'm new to these boards, though not new to Apple Macs and I'd like to know just how we can actually get an official response to this issue. It's clearly a hardware/software defect and I expect Apple to acknowledge this and promise a fix sometime. I bought my MBA in Hong Kong so taking it back is difficult. Can I return it to a local Apple Store? How long do I have for this? Any pointers would be welcome - I love Apple products but I've paid a premium price for this product and expect it to be usable in an external display situation.

sorry - assumed this was well known - go to

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

and fill in as much as you can - I included this thread/discussion so they could see it wasn't just me..

good luck and apologies for my assumption..

As I mentioned before - if you want Apple to take note,

go to

http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html

and fill in as much as you can - I included this thread/discussion so they could see it wasn't just me.

I suggested that people do this a few pages ago on this thread and for a while people were posting bug reports - the more bug reports that get posted, the more likely it is that Apple will take heed, so EVERYONE reading this thread with the poor HDMI video issue, post a bug report as soon as you can!!!

From www.macnn.com, posted 14Sep "Apple pushes out new 10.8.2 build, release eminent" (sic!)

... The accompanying Read Me file asks developers to focus on the same areas as the previous build, primarily graphics performance and quality as well as Image and Media importing, editing and viewing. The update is expected to be a rare "point" release that adds features in addition to fixing issues. The final 10.8.2 is expected to add phone number and Apple ID syncing to iMessage and FaceTime, as well as implement system-wide Facebook integration for users of the social service.

so PERHAPS the "graphics performance and quality" may solve the HDMI garbage output issue. Until then, I would suggest anyone who has yet to post an official bug report do so as per the instructions on the previous page of this thread.

Goto http://www.apple.com/feedback/macosx.html and post a bug report. The more people that do so, the more likely we get a solution from Apple!

Maybe. Regardless, I've always had problems with this HP monitor and my Macbook Pros using Displayport.

Funny enough, I bought this HP monitor because my Dell 20" monitor wouldn't work at all with my 13" Aluminum Macbook.

Have a look at what Apple says about the VESA standard regarding adapters, HDMI, and Displayport: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4241

Interestingly, my old Macbook Pro didn't support audio over Displayport or HDMI. My monitor definitely doesn't support audio over HDMI. This weird problem we're all having appears to go back to 2010 or 2011 just by skimming some forums. That also seems to coincide with when Apple started doing audio over Mini-Displayport.

Could all just be a coincidence though.

VonhellsingKeep us posted!!!

Btw, as a side note: THIS IS UNBELIEVEABLE! I bought an Apple 30-pin Digital AV Addapter to use HDMI with my New iPad, and GUESS WHAT!!!! My IT HAS PROBLEMS!!! The TV Screen turns black time to time, I lost signal, it's jumpy, and other weird things!! I was stupid though, I should've read first, there where people complaining. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD098ZM/A/apple-digital-av-adapter?fnode=3a

This is real! Looks like Apple is losing it without Steve Jobs.