Q: Mac Mini 2012 video blinking out

I don't personally have one, but have a half dozen or more reports from reliable sources of no HDMI problems.

Of course, there is the question of what "relliable" means in the case of something that happens for a half second under unknown circumstances.  There have been times when I haven't noticed the problem for days, but then it will happen again out of nowhere, leaving me to wonder if there is something I had just done that caused it, or if it had been happening all the time and I had just hadn't been looking at the instant it blinked.

Doc O wrote:

 

Of course, there is the question of what "relliable" means in the case of something that happens for a half second under unknown circumstances.

I have also read about several other people who have also stated that their new Mac mini did NOT have issues. You are right that there is no way to know for sure if their machines are effected, but at the same time I won't assume that their machines are defective either. I am just happy that they are enjoying their Mac minis.

but at the same time I won't assume that their machines are defective either.

And that's fine for you and for now, but consider the secondary market for these machines.  Anyone who will eventually be looking for a used Mac will, unless Apple addresses the issue, assume that any Mac mini out there is a dud.  People are already doing it for new machines, so it is a mistake for you (or your friends) to take an "I've got a good one" attitude just because you have yet to see a symptom.

Totally agree with Doc O on this one.

I am ringing apple tomorrow and I need to know a couple of things:

1) Can this problem be fixed with a firmware update

2) If not, when can I expect my refund

I'm not buggering about taking this thing back into the shop for them to 'work' on it. It's faulty equipment plain and simple and they shouldn't be selling it.

I expect everything to work when I spend £700 on a piece of equipment. There are too many people saying that just getting a dvi lead and an adaptor solved their problem. Really? Has the problem gone? Can you resell it knowing that HDMI does not work properly?

Sam.

As an alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Premium-DisplayPort-Thunderbolt/dp/B004CADYD O/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

or:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802 &p_id=5106&seq=1&format=2

Not a fix for the HDMI/HD 4000 but perhaps will help.

Doc O wrote:

 

And that's fine for you and for now, but consider the secondary market for these machines.  Anyone who will eventually be looking for a used Mac will, unless Apple addresses the issue, assume that any Mac mini out there is a dud.

First of all there is no doubt in my mind that Apple will find a solution to this issue. I've heard from several sources (both overseas and here) that something might be released as early as next week. Secondly, you need to do your research. If what you said was true then last years model (which also had video issues) would not be in such high demand. Mac minis have always had one issue or another. Apple has always addressed them. All Mac minis have always enjoyed high resale value. The sky is not falling

Reading your post it has occurred to me that the snowy screen happened to me (so far only once) when I was watching a YouTube video as well. I also saw my first 1 or 2 second "black screen" today, too, but this occurred whilst reading an article in Firefox.

If this is all I can expect until Apple releases a fix, then it's not such a calamity at this point (though I do hope they can revive my Thunderbolt/Mini DisplayPort via a firmware update).

Yes, having the same problem. Sometimes the screen goes blank for a second or two, then returns. Sometimes it turns to white noise, at which point I have to unplug and replug. Any word on whether this is a hardware or software problem? Would rather not have to return the mini and setup again.

Been to the Genius bar. They hooked up my mini up to a Samsung display with a HDMI cable and it blinked after about 15 minutes.  So definitely not the fault of the HDMI to DVI adapter (yep, knew that). It's being "escalated" and they will contact me in a few days.

I bought a minidisplayport/thunderbolt to DVI adapter while I was there and there has been no blinking or snow since.

Somewhat hdmi related, has anyone ran into an issue where they can't adjust the sound? I've rebooted and still can't adjust the volume.

If this is any help to anyone -

   I have a mid 2011 mini (5,2), 2.7 GHz, i7, with Radeon HD 6630M graphics.  Purchased in October, 2011.  I have connected my Sony Bravia KDL40-EX720 tv to HDMI as a second monitor and have not observed the problems described in this thread.

   After reading stuff about Mountain Lion in this and one other thread, Iam staying as far away from that as long as I can!! 

Well my e-mails must have got through as I was called from America yesterday morning to be assured that they had corrected the order.

They are going to call me again on Monday morning to give me an update.

I still have a further wait as it will still be a BTO, with luck Apple might have the fix for this problem in another 10 days!

I almost can't believe what I'm reading. Have apple brainwashed their customers so much that this is acceptable for people to spend the best part of £700 on something that doesn't work.

On what planet is this good enough?

I'm ringing them in a minute, will report back as to what they said, I'm in the UK btw. They better provide a decent explanation, I'm not as forgiving as a lot of you.

Sam.

Just been to the Genius Bar

They said there is no known issue here - they tried to blame my TV even though my old mini works perfectly well on the same tv

When I pointed the Genius to this discussion he said...

"You can find anything on the Internet"

Only when I asked to see his supervisor things changed - the supervisor agreed to take my mini for further investigation but "their systems" say there is no known issue and apple are not currently investigating this

So frustrating

@Davehz, was this a UK store?

I need to decide whether to grab a refund now or wait until they can fix this, if they're even going to bother.

Sam.