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

As with everyone else who bought a late 2012 Mac Mini, I too have seen the snow. It happened once, then I called Apple Support with no avail, but at least it's another case. The day after my screen flickered a black screen and went back to normal within a sec, this happened twice. Then today I seen the snow screen again. I'm gonna call my Apple Store and see what they say.

I'm glad people are talking about their experiences with this issue. I hope it keeps up and and enough cases are reported to result in a solution, whatever that may be.

This is my first Mac, loving everything about it so far, but...you know.

Peter Derlow wrote:

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

Yes Apple is aware of the issue and working on a fix. Most likely a firmware update.

Ciccilleju wrote:

they should think about a new hardware fix or implementation - like, putting together a team of engeneers, developers etc to fix this.

They've already been doing that for at least a week now.

calvol wrote:

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). 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.

I agree 100%. The HD 3000 and HD 4000 have always been plauged with issues. Why Apple chose to use it only God knows.

I also have this "snow" issue with my week old MacMini 2012. I first thought that it was a RAM issue but after reading some of the user's post, I'm aware now that it may be an issue that a firmware may fix. Hope it does and when is released, it really fix this issue.

I also am having this issue with my two day old mac mini 2012

Hi

Just wanted to update you all that I've bought a thunderbolt hdmi converter from eBay for £3.50 and haven't had any dropouts since. Just before using this I had 3 dropouts in 1 hour using the same hdmi cable in the hdmi slot and absolutely no dropouts for the following 5 hours using the TB to hdmi converter

Hope it helps

I, too, have encounted the black screen issue with my new mac mini (connecting the computer and monitor directly with an HDMI cable). A call to Apple led to a representative telling me that he hadn't heard of the problem and I should try an update (I am already at 10.8.2). He then suggested trying a different HDMI cable or return the computer.

Just for fun, I swapped out the HDMI cable with one I use with my TV. The problem actually worsened. Instead of just a couple of seconds of a black screen, the screen went staticy and I could not get the picture back until I unplugged and replugged the cable. I went back the original HDMI cable I had been using and the problem seems to have lessened.

Not sure what the take away would be from the anecdote. Just adding my experience to the collective while I hope for a fix from Apple.

A cheap tunderbolt->dvi adapter cured blackouts in my mini.

This time i got a non-apple adapter to avoid possible problems :-D

I had the same problems on my new mac mini. I brought it back to the shop today. They knew the problem and replaced the machine. Unfortunately the new model shows the exactly same symptomes 😟

I'm wondering if people are having any luck with the HDMI port or not. Maybe it works more reliable if using a specific type of HDMI cable?

I can only say that in 2 weeks I had one episode of snow for 1 second, self fixed.

I'm using HDMI with Ethernet cable.

Whatever luck anybody may or may not have had with the HDMI port, it is important that you log a call to AppleCare.

It is clear from reports around the world that many people are having problems with the HDMI port. It doesn't matter whether it is to a HDMI monitor or via an adapter to DVI, the common link appears to be the HDMI port.

We don't know if all 2012 minis are affected and people who have never used the HDMI port will probably have no idea if they have a faulty mini or not. From what I can deduce, the Thunderbolt port works fine.........?

In some cases people are exchanging machines with the supplier who supplied the original. Logic would suggest that unless the supplier has very high turnover or the delay between purchase and exchange is long (and it can't be more than a month at the moment), then it is highly likely that the replacement mini will be from the same batch and have the same fault.

A month in, responses from Apple appear to differ with some people knowing about the problem, and some not. That makes me think that Apple may not yet have issued a circular to all AppleCare agents and Apple Stores - or not everybody has read it.

Before someone jumps down my throat, all this is conjecture, but I believe it to be well founded based on this and other threads.

BobH47 wrote:

it is highly likely that the replacement mini will be from the same batch and have the same fault.

Can't happen. All of the returned minis will become refurbs.

Luckily I don't have sync issues, but was experiencing the poor resolution, poor colors and text issues as others. I bought a 2012 core i5 MM to replace a 2007 Core 2 Duo MM. The 2007 MM was connected with a DVI-HDMI cable and was sharp. I connected the 2012 with an HDMI-HDMI as was poor. I solved my issue with a MDP-DVI adapter. My monitor only has VGA and HDMI inputs. Ordered a couple of MDP adapters online, and the MDP-DVI adapter solved the issue; and the image is same or better as before with my 2007 mini. Need to point out that I also ordered a MDP-HDMI adapter, and it did not work, same issues as the HDMI out. For some reason the HDMI-HDMI connection has issues. Now will wait to see if Apple fixes the issue. Also with the MDP-DVI adapter, I don't have to underscan. I use the 1920x1080 resolution with no underscan; with the HDMI-HDMI connection I had to underscan, which is part of the problem because it creates blurry text.