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

I have a new 13" Macbook Pro. This seems to be a problem with all the new MBP (13" model) and MBA models. Now, what all of these have in common and what they have different from previous models is that they use the IntelHD 4000 and do not have a discrete GPU. As many have previously stated, this already points to a software/driver issue. More evidence supporting a sofware/driver issue is that when booted into windows using bootcamp, I have none of these display issues using the same monitors, tvs, cables, and adaptors.

On August 1st, I talked to AppleCare over the phone about the problem and they asked that I bring my computer into a store to, "see the problem in person," and to compare it to other similar models (I had mentioned seeing this and other similar threads reporting the same issue). On August 3rd, I brought my computer into the Apple store on Michigan Ave. in Chicago and showed the issue to one of the Geniuses. We both agreed that it definitely seemed like a problem with sofware/drivers. He said that he couldn't get a floor model of the new 2012s to test it against at the time, so I would need to leave my computer with them to compare it later. I do not live anywhere near Chicago, but they said they would ship it back to me after they had taken a look. I agreed and left my computer at the store. Over the weekend I did not get a single email about the "repair," not even a confirmation. I called the store the following monday (6th) to see what was going on with my laptop, and they said that it was going to be overnighted to my house. The following morning, my laptop was left on my porch, delivered without a signature. This alone is ridiculous. As soon as I opened the lid and saw the repair sheet, I knew I was going to be upset. The "Geniuses" replaced my logic board for absolutely no reason. I have AppleCare and it's a brand new laptop anyway, so it doesn't cost me anything, but there's no way for me to know if they put in a refurbished logic board in my virtually brand new laptop. The icing on the cake is that the display issue was still there. However, real problem is that they did not re-serialize the new board. I called the store again, and spoke to the store manager named "Garth." Garth is awesome and has done a lot to help fix this situation, so if any Apple representatives read this, give him a pat on the back for doing the right thing. I explained the situation and he had a shipping box overnighted to me to ship it back to have it reserialized. he also escalated the issue to engineering, and called me back several times asking about the problems. He really went out of his way to do everything he could. The day I got the box, I shipped my laptop back to have it re-serialized (Monday August 13th). I got a call on Tuesday (the 14th) from an Apple Genius saying that he had re-serialized my board and that he was unable to reproduce the display problems that I was originally having. I was skeptical, and rightly so. They shipped my laptop back on Wednesday (the 15th) and I received it today (the 16th). The display issues persist. I called the Apple store again and spoke to Garth, explaining that the Genius had told me the problems were solved, but they actually were not. I did not want anyone else with the same to go through the same bs I did only to have the same problem because they thought what they did to my MBP had solved the problem. Garth told me that he would speak to engineering again and that I could call AppleCare and have my computer replaced if I would like. I will not send it in because this is clearly a software/driver issue, and I am pretty ****** that I had to go through all this ******** because they wanted "to see the problem in person" and compare it to other models. **** that.

What makes Apple and OSX "special" is that they build their computers to work specifically with OSX, and OSX to work specifically with their computers. This is an issue that should have been caught and fixed before the new release, and it is ridiculous that the issue has not been addressed by them publically.

Also I forgot to mention, mine is a 15" Macbook Pro Late 2011 with an AMD Radeon HD 6770M 1 GB.

Might as well throw my hat into the ring too...

HDMI output to HP 2310m 1080p 23" LCD

-> Washed out colors and low resolution.

From what I can tell, the output seem to max out at maybe 1400x900. The reason I say this is because if I set my resolution to 1920x1080 and don't touch "underscan / overscan", the desktop extends beyond the confines of the screen. I have to use the "underscan / overscan" slider to make the desktop fit on the screen. But, when I do this, the actual output resolution remains low.

In fact, no matter what resolution I pick, it always appears pixel doubled on the external monitor, resulting in fuzzy text and washed out colors.

What the heck, Apple? Please fix this!

I have a work around that seems effective. I purchased a Mini Display port to Display Port cable. I am fortunate enough to have DVI, HDMI, VGA, Composite and DisplayPort on my monitor.

Keeping everything native to DisplayPort works.

The gama needed calibrated, but that is ok. At least everything is not saturated anymore.

MonoPrice seems to have a really good price. I picked up a cable for couple bucks.

I hope this helps, some. It is definately a driver issue.

Same problem: Washed out colors, brightness, and low resolution with new 2012 Mac Book on extrenal monitor. No adjustments to monitor settings, of Mac settings help. Using thunderbolt mini port to HDMI with a Samsung 27" SA550. Using the 1080i setting.

Add me to the list of annoyed new Macbook Air (2012 13") users. Belkin MDP to HDMI adapter shows horrible greyscale and fonts on my brand new Dell HP 2311xi IPS monitor. It took hours just to find this forum discussing the issue. Considering returning for an ultrabook. Thanks to everyone who took the time to bring this to Apple Support's attention. Unfortunately seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

I too have a new 2012 MBA and have attached it to a Samsung monitor with resulting horrible colours and resolution - it all started when I couldn't see the grid lines in my spread sheets.

I have however solved the problem as it seems to be machine based rather than anything else - lets hope apple come up with a better fix soon.

Over the last few years I've had a bunch of mac laptops, so have ammassed quite a few screen adaptors, so I started playing,

Mini display to DVI (female) adaptor - then a DVI (male) to HDMI (female) adaptor [a back-to-back unit with no wire tail] - then normal HDMI lead to monitor. Bingo, sorted, no more washed out colours.

I don't know if it's relevant but the DVI/HDMI converter does say DVI-D. Its from 'Nakkai' - I bought it from Maplins here in the UK

The MDPort/DVI adaptor (with wire tail) is unbranded, the IT manager at my old form got it for me about 2 years ago, so can't help with scourcing this bit.

Hope this is of help.

NCUK

I believe in your case it's using DVI signalling rather than HDMI. Audio output doesn't work through the 'HDMI' connection in your case, is that right?

@emmfc8 Dell IPS monitors do have displayport connectors, right? If you happen to have a miniDP to DP cable, could you try connecting it that way?

Got the same issue. MBA Mid 2012, color whased out with hdmi.

@Calreth and @emmfc8, I think someone already mentioned that this works - MiniDP to DP (e.g. with Apple monitors), but still we need a fix for the HDMI.

I wonder why Apple are just ignoring this?! I had issues with HTC support earlier this year and thought my next phone would be iPhone... I will definitely reconsider this decision!!

Not only HDMI, I think the problem is the Mini Display Port/Thunderbolt adapter, for me it is with VGA.

Well, I have been going through a process of demonstrating the problem to the Apple Engineers via Applcare over the past three weeks.

They emailed software that captured info from my computer to try and identify any software faliures, the problem was demonstrated and reproduced in-person with the Genius' at the Apple store, they provided an "officially" recognised iWire display port - HDMI adapter to double check it wasn't my cheap ebay adapter at fault and we confirmed via photos I emailed to them that the issue was specific to OSX and that the HDMI output under bootcamp exhibited no problem.

Conclusion: (as I think those with the problem already know!) - There is a problem!

Solution: None at present. Just, yup, we have a problem. But at the moment there is not much that can be done.

Hopefully they will address this is the next OSX update, or some interim driver / firmware update, but when that will be is an unanswered question.

I would urge anyone who hasn't contacted Applecare to do so though. The more people who raise this issue with Apple and get it escalated to the engineers, the faster they will hopefully confirm an issue and start to resolve it.

Until then, this is just an inherrent problem that will need to be worked around with DVI / VGA / Bootcamp......

I have personally returned my Air for refund. Will wait to see if the problem is fixed, or maybe use the refunded cash to buy a 13 inch retina (if such a computer appears as per rumour in the next couple of months). Surely the HDMI connection in that won't be subject to the same issues....!?!?!

I think people need to keep in mind that the problem may not be with Apple, but Intel.

Do any other Apple products that use the HD4000 video card have the issue?

I do think it is a tad embarrasing on Apple's part that basic testing of video output was not performed. It is probally a case of they farmed this part of the design off to intel, however I would have still validated it.

I am not going to get too upset, because I was able to get something working with Display Port. However I would like a basic acknowlegement and see a fix on the first Service Pack.

red.radar,

You are not right - solving this issue is only up to Apple! There was similar thread, but essentially, Apple write the drivers for Mac OS. I would say that if it was up to Intel they would have fixed it already! You know that under Windows 7 (Bootcamp) MiniDP to HDMI works perfectly fine (with Intel drivers)..