Mac Mini (2012) HDMI losing sync (blank screen/snow)

I logged the issue with Apple. After trying all the standard things (SMBC reset, zap the PRAM, Disk Utility, use a new account), the issue remained. I was transferred around to a few techs who all said this was the first they were hearing of this and ignored my claims that it was very active on the forums. Finally got a tech who said he had heard of the issue and actually searched the forums and read about it while on the phone with me. He said, "To be honest, it looks like this is an emerging hardware issue and there seem to be a lot of people with the same problem so I think Apple will be hearing about it. Your best option is to call us back once a week to see if we have a fix. In the meantime, I have logged your issue."

So there's no fix now, but at least an acknowledgement of the problem from Apple. Stay tuned!

It already has!

I think we need to trust each other's experience! I bought my mini through a store on 5th and exchanged it in the same store on 13th.

They had not heard of the problem, had not had any returned and just gave me a brand new machine from stock!

I also am having this issue with my one week old mac mini 2012.😠

I have the same problem with my 2012 Mac Mini, i.e., intermittent brief episodes of "snow" on my Apple 20" monitor connected via the supplied HDMI-to-DVI adapter. James Pitcock, AppleCare Senior Advisor, had me return the first unit. I did but found that its replacement exhibited the same issue. Mr. Pitcock then advised me to exchange it for another replacement unit. Now, as I am setting up this third 2012 Mac Mini from a Time Machine backup, I see it putting out a burst of "snow" just like the previous two units.

Lesson: don't waste your time swapping out your unit for a replacement.

FWIW I used a 3rd party Thunderbolt-to-DVI adapter for more than a week and never once had the problem.

I am okay using the Thunderbolt/DVI dapter for now. Someday in the future I may use the Mini as a video server and will want to connect it directly to an HDTV, requiring the use of the HDMI port.

I am concerned that I have purchased a product that does not now meet its advertized specifications and Apple has given me no assurance that it ever will.

I'm another 2012 mini user with the snow/blackout problem. It has happened just once, yesterday, 24 hours ago. I'm waiting for it to happen again. Turning off the monitor for a couple of seconds fixed the problem. I am hoping to use two monitors with this mini and so am watching this thread carefully.

I did open a channel (or whatever it is called) with Apple Support but have not called them. (I can't, being totally deaf, and am hoping Apple will be willing to help me via email when and if a fix is announced. But I'm told Apple won't do email support so I'm hoping I'm not SOL. They haven't yet responded to my email "suggestion.")

I'm also experiencing the issue, I had both the blank screen and the static snow using the HDMI-DVI adapter that comes with the Mini. The static snow was actually pretty cool effect- never seen anything like it on my monitor before. I got rid of it the same ways as others- turning the monitor off and on.

I also opened a case with Apple. The rep I spoke with on the phone didn't seem too interested in all the reports on this forum. She started walking me thru some steps like unplugging the Mac for 5 seconds, etc. I'm sure it goes without saying that those steps did not resolve the issue.

UPDATE:

For some reason, switching back to the original HDMI cable has somewhat mitigated the problem. Now, instead of seeing static and being forced to unplug the cable, I'm back to just a second or two of a black screen that quickly returns to normal.

This is a very strange issue, indeed.

Further update to my earlier posts:

I have tried the following setups, and they have all been problematic on my mac mini i7 quad core, stock 4GB ram:

hdmi out-->hdmi cable-->hdmi tv input (snow/black outs)

hdmi out-->different hdmi cable-->hdmi tv input (snow/black outs)

thunderbolt out-->mini-display to hdmi adapter--->hdmi tv input (snow/black outs)

thunderbolt out-->mini-display to dvi adapter--->dvi monitor input (saw the snow issue only so far)

Al,

"thunderbolt out-->mini-display to dvi adapter--->dvi monitor input (saw the snow issue only so far)"

is my work-around but absolutely no problems with it on my Mini.

Mac mini 2012 2.6GHz i7 version with 16Gb of RAM using HDMI-HDMI connection. Accidental blinks or snow about twice or more a day. Just for a few seconds.

Just reported my problem with Apple UK. There was no acknowledgement of a known problem, and all we tried was a power reset by removing the cable. They gave me a case number, and tried to sell me Apple Care!

I'm just off the phone with UK 1st line support, then onto a senior tech support bod.

Explained the situation and the mentioned this thread and cut to the chase: they've supplied me with a capture application to run after a blank screen event. Then to email that data back to them to refer to Engineering.

My 1st line support tech had heard of the issue.

So hopefully movement on this.

if you need it, i did a video with my phone

FYI:

http://www.macrumors.com/2012/11/28/intel-reports-fix-coming-for-flickering-on-m onitors-connected-to-2012-mac-mini-via-hdmi/

"we know what the problem is but don't have an ETA for a fix."

So Intel will release an updated driver, it will then go through Apple's obviously rigorous QA before they release it to us....

Please keep reporting issues to Apple to light a fire under their @ss!!