Q: Mac Mini 2012 video blinking out

Boot ROM ver after the EFI 1.7 update: MM61.0106.B03

daBowmore, are you turning things on in any particular

sequence?  Had some odd issues (sometimes video) with a 2010

Mini with a Yamaha if devices were not turned on in a

particular order. Try powering the display (wait for it to intialize),

power up the Yamaha, and then boot the Mini.

If this makes no difference, do the same thing but when booting

the Mini execute a PRAM reset.

Tried everything, no way.. It is still blinking every 6 sec

As others have mentioned, I think your problem is different than what most are experiencing.  I'm on my 3rd mini and the first two behaved similar to what you are describing, very frequent black/snow screens, usually only fixable by unplugging the video cable.  You should see about exchanging yours for another.  If you bought it someplace other than an Apple store, try taking it to an Apple store and exchange it there.  Not sure if it mattered, but my first two were from BB, then I took it to an Apple store and they swapped it with the one I currently have.

The new update seem to solve the problem I had. My screen was losing signal 15-20 minutes after I log in or reboot but I didn't have the problem since yesterday. I hope they fix the 6sec blinking too for you guys!

Update: There might be moments when the flicker is gone for even up to 5 minutes (approximately) but so far it has always continued after such break and again with 3-15 second frequency. Also to be honest the "mac mini (late 2012) + mini displayport to dvi + dvi to hmdi + hdmi connection" combination flickers couple of times when connecting or booting up, but after that I haven't seen a single flicker in use. So only with HDMI connection.

woodmeister50 wrote:

 

daBowmore, are you turning things on in any particular

sequence?  Had some odd issues (sometimes video) with a 2010

Mini with a Yamaha if devices were not turned on in a

particular order. Try powering the display (wait for it to intialize),

power up the Yamaha, and then boot the Mini.

 

If this makes no difference, do the same thing but when booting

the Mini execute a PRAM reset.

Tried your suggestion

1. Switched TV on
2. Yamaha switches on automatically via HDMI control]
3. [TV goes to channel 1, so does audio via HDMI control]
4. Switched Yamaha to Mac -input
5. [Audio and video changes to "default no input screen of Yamaha" since Mac mini is switched of]
6. Switched Mac mini on
7. OS X loads, flicker continues

Tried with reseting the PRAM

1. Switched TV on
2. [Yamaha switches on automatically via HDMI control]
3. [TV goes to channel 1, so does audio via HDMI control]
4. Switched Yamaha to Mac -input
5. [Audio and video changes to "default no input screen of Yamaha" since Mac mini is switched of]
6. Switched Mac mini on
7. Immediately presset alt-option-P-R when I heard the DONG, hold the keys until heard the second DONG, let go of the keys
8. OS X loads, flicker continues

So at least for me this boot sequence did not change anything.

Same setup doesn't have problems with:

• PS3
• Macbook air (2010?) + mini displayport to dvi + dvi to hmdi + hdmi connection
• Macbook pro (late 2009) + mini displayport to dvi + dvi to hmdi + hdmi connection
• Mac mini (late 2012) + mini displayport to dvi + dvi to hmdi + hdmi connection
• Canon cameras

So it is just Mac mini with HDMI cable for me.

Don't know if this is related, or not...  OWC has an article on problems using bluetooth 2.4 GHz and USB 3.0 (shielding and cable grade):  http://http://blog.macsales.com/15990-shielding-resolves-usb-3-0-conflict-with-b luetooth

I think the "tin hat" is an especially nice touch...

~ susan

I didn't have the issue happening every 5 seconds, but maybe twice a day... after the patch the issue is gone for me. If it helps, I bought my MM 2 weeks ago, so there might be a problem with the first production run of MM? Maybe something to look at...

Hope it gets resolved for you guys soon...

My story so far:

Nov 2: Bought a new Mac mini i5 (late 2012) to replace a Mac mini (Mid 2011) with Intel 3000 Graphics. Setup:

Mac mini (2012) w Intel HD Graphics 4000 -> HDMI -> Yamaha receiver RX-A810 -> HDMI -> Samsung TV UE55D8005

Random videoblackouts (interval 2 - 120 seconds) and sometimes purple screen and "color noise", sometimes total blackouts.

The previous mini (Mid 2011) worked flawlessly in this exact same setup.

Nov 14: I replaced the mini i5 with a new mini i7 (with the same Intel 4000 Graphics). The EXACT same problem.

Dec 1: I tried the beta upgrade 10.8.3 build 12D32. The EXACT same problem.

Dec 11: I installed the EFI 1.7 upgrade. The EXACT same problem.

Dec 11: I tried the beta upgrade 10.8.3 build 12D38. The EXACT same problem.

I really don´t care about this problem any more. This Mac mini is exclusively used as a home theater player and I got good service and support from Apple (except my problem is not yet solved). I will now use an older mini 2011 instead with discrete graphics (and better graphics performance).

I will probably never know who is to blame: Intel, Apple, Samsung or Yamaha. HDMI is really "a bag of hurt" (as Steve would say) and all the problems with HDMI as HDCP, signalling, sync, UDID, etc will probably never be solved.

Patch seems to kill the issue no flickering since 54m after ColdBoot

Using:

Mac Mini 2012 i7 Stock Ram -> HDMI/DVI Apple Adapter -> DVI Cable -> Eizo FlexScan S2231W

After Update: Same black screens like before!!!

I had the problem one time or two per day!Screen goes black for about two seconds!After the update I am having this problem every 5 seconds!!!!!!Not black screen but like mac mini try not to lose the signal!!Very bad update!!

To everyone still have issue after the 1.7 EFI Firmware upgrade, please report if you have a receiver or something in between your mini and the TV/Monitor. The best should be to post the exact brand/model of the receiver and the TV/Monitor.

Correct, report as much detailed information as possible. Don't assume anything.

Also, HDMI cables should be no longer than 3 feet until you get the issue resolved.

Sorry but that was the 3. and last mac mini which I will return to apple...

Incredible to create such an update!