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

I'm running dual screens under bootcamp -- OS-X Mountain Lion and Win7-64. I get snow or blank screens with both OSes. This only happens on the HDMI port, not the Thunderbolt port. So, I use the TB output as my primary display.

OSX seems to blank/snow a lot more frequently (maybe once every 10 minutes) where Win7 is probably once every 30 minutes. Not sure why, but it's not pointing to the operating system. It may be pointing to how the driver interacts with the OS.

I hope this gets fixed soon.

have the same problems with my 2012 mac mini and hdmi sync to my reciver. So bad! What do you think go back to the store and get a new or could Apple fix this by a fix?

All mac mini 2012 have the same problem with black/snow screen...!!! 😢

Wonder how they planing to fix it. Anyone talk to Apple or sent in some form so they know about the issue?

(Black screen) with my two new Mac Minis. OSX 1.8.2 dual monitors: Only monitor that was connected by HDMI to DVI cable was affected and bootcamp Windows 8 via HDMI to HDMI projector.

Same problem here. I actually returned my monitor (Asus VH232H) for a new one thinking it was an issue with the monitor. The new monitor does the same thing and seeing everyone here with the same problem, now I know it's not the monitor! HDMI-DVI. 10.8.2 with supplemental update 2.0. Getting black screen 1-2x per hour. The only thing that's better with the new monitor is no snow. Might just be coincidence. Knock on wood.

Still have my 84 MacPlus and still boots on 400k floppy. Sold the many other models in between. So I am very Apple at heart.

A couple years ago I set in place a Mac Mini for the entertainment center. It paid for itself, and other than it's being jerky while watching Hulu (or most else) it was all good. Last week, we dropped in to buy and iPhone 5 and also walked out with Apple TV and Mac Mini. I used Migration Assistant (first time, as I always used image fresh process) and went HDMI to HDMI on TV (old mini had adapter). I note issue with black out and sound. I read up in the Community and find many having the same or similar issues.

I also note update 10.8.2 is not available which is holding back my iPhoto from updating or being usable. I gather action on your part is in play from reading some threads.

I am trying to decide right now on returning the Mac Mini. All these years and have never gone that way. If I had reassurance that the issue with HDMI black out is solvable and being worked on and I am guaranteed resolution soon - I would hang tight and just get through it with you. Feeling like I may never have this solved is forcing me to consider returning and grading Apple down half a notch.

For your consideration.

I posted in this thread about 1 week ago to say that my bootcamp install was unaffected. I was wrong, observed a black screen on the hdmi>hdmi monitor while thunderbolt>hdmi monitor has been ok.

Have scheduled a call to Apple UK support for Wednesday 28th Nov - mainly just to notify Apple UK that this is a real problem for us Mac Mini 2012 buyers.

i changed AGAIN the logic board on my mac mini 2012. as i thought the black screens and loss of sync are still happening. I got a call from Italian Apple Post-sale service, they asked me

"Mr. Francesco, how can we help you solving this problem?"

i mean: WHAT THE H.....?!

they are asking me what can they do to help me?

i just said that: i changed the whole internal hardware TWICE, i tried to install the updates, i fresh-reinstalled the OS, i changed 3-4 different kind of connectors, and the issues ALWAYS occurs and that they should think about a new hardware fix or implementation - like, putting together a team of engeneers, developers etc to fix this.

their answer?

yes, ok ok, but now what do you want to do? do you send us the computer again or do you want the money back?

it's like talking to a wall.

Mac Mini 6.2 bought Nov-week1 with 2-sec black screen on HDMI to Samsung TV, usually soon after wake-up, and persistent snow screen, requiring power-cycle of TV. Also, random blank screen on HDMI-DVI to Dell 2412m monitor.

Antenna-gate >

Map-gate, and now >

Snow-gate.

Tsk, tsk Apple for letting this product out the door!

I'm returning mine ASAP!

Actually, did not see this problem for two days, today and yesterday.

It can happen again of course ))

Funny that some users like me see the black/snow screen only 1-2 times per a day, usually after booting up, whereas others see it constantly.

Just wanted to say that I also have the same random blackout and snow problem on a week old Mac mini 2012 2.6Ghz, 16GB, Fusion drive connected to an HP2310m monitor via hdmi/Dvi cable. I installed also windows 7 with bootcamp and same problem occurs. It happened a quite a few times in a day, while browsing/emails.

For now, when it happens I turns the monitor off/on. Will open a support ticket to apple.

An update to my server model:

I been talking to my service rep for the last few days, I just ran some diagnostic tests and I am submitting them to Apple. From reading all of the posts I know sending it to apple won't really do anything, but I am out to try to report it as much as I can to them so hopefully we get a solution soon. Knock on wood, the last two days I haven't seen a glitch. I know since I am using mine as more of a server/workstation the sync issue isn't as big of a deal for someone that has it hooked up to a tv using it as a HTPC. Im sticking with my mini though, I been wanting OSX server for over a year and waiting for the refresh of 2012.

Based on what I have read (go read about HDCP in Wikipedia) it looks like a HDCP sync issue. Of course the big question is where in the data stream the "fix" needs to be implemented. If it is deep in the Intel chipset HW then the fix becomes more of a hassle to we end users as this would require computer mods (done by Apple) or computer swap-outs (at Apple store). If the fix is in firmware and/or software, then Apple could push the fix to the users in the form of an update. The other unknown is that HDCP has various versions (like all standards) and it is possible that some devices are not keeping up with HDCP evolution in which case that would cause "hit and miss" problems in the field. Since the technology is licensed to Intel companies have pay a licensing fee to Intel.

Since Windows users are also seeing problems of this sort (go read the Intel forums) I would guess what we are seeing here are the growing pains of the Intel HDG 4000. And if that is true Apple will be forced into a swapout scenario similar to the one a few years ago with the NVIDIA GPU chipset (black screen on MBP as well as monitor out). In Apple's favor my 2007 MBP was 3 years old (and no longer under warranty) when the NVIDIA swapout happened, but they still swapped out my MBP motherboard "for free". So they are pretty good about this sort of thing. But right now I suspect lawyers are involved between Apple/Intel so it could take a while...

This issue with the HD4000 GPU has been ongoing for 6 months, and it's doubtful there is a firmware fix (Intel MRC 1.5 and 1.6 did not fix). So, with a iGPU hardware issue at mid-cycle of Ivy Bridge, does Intel spin new silicon for an "intermittant" issue, when Hawsell chips are due in the Spring? Haha, good luck with that! Apple will try a workaround to accommodate synch issues that may or may not be a global fix for all HDMI devices. A band-aid that will not make everyone happy.

If Apple were smart, they would quickly design a mobo with a discrete ATI GPU and release a 2013 Mini in a couple of months, and give everyone who purchased a 2012 a free exchange or their money back.