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

Looks like my mini has the HDMI issue that others have reported on the macrumors forums as well as here.

 

Mine exhibits the blank screen/snow issue ONLY when the HDMI port is used.  This happens with HDMI->DVI adapter and also with pure HDMI cabling.

 

With the same screen, mini and DVI cable this does not occur.

 

This is a fresh Mini 2012 Server i7 model.

 

Do I need to report this in an official capacity somewhere (this is only the second ever apple hardware fault I've encountered in twenty years).  Should I just be patient for a possible fix (as I don't need the hdmi port

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), 2012 Server i7 2.3GHz, SSD+HDD 16GB

Posted on Nov 8, 2012 1:24 PM

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

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  • by Markmtc,

    Markmtc Markmtc Nov 27, 2012 10:25 AM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 27, 2012 10:25 AM in response to .Bunny

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

  • by Douglas A Mccullough,

    Douglas A Mccullough Douglas A Mccullough Nov 27, 2012 1:26 PM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 27, 2012 1:26 PM in response to .Bunny

    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.

  • by HenryKisor,

    HenryKisor HenryKisor Nov 27, 2012 1:46 PM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 27, 2012 1:46 PM in response to .Bunny

    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.")

  • by digital_1,

    digital_1 digital_1 Nov 27, 2012 2:51 PM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 27, 2012 2:51 PM in response to .Bunny

    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.

  • by demicrown,

    demicrown demicrown Nov 28, 2012 7:12 AM in response to demicrown
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 7:12 AM in response to demicrown

    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.

  • by AlMacAl,

    AlMacAl AlMacAl Nov 28, 2012 9:41 AM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 9:41 AM in response to .Bunny

    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)

  • by BobH47,

    BobH47 BobH47 Nov 28, 2012 9:46 AM in response to AlMacAl
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 28, 2012 9:46 AM in response to AlMacAl

    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.

  • by torokze,

    torokze torokze Nov 28, 2012 11:26 AM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 11:26 AM in response to .Bunny

    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.

  • by SlipDragon,

    SlipDragon SlipDragon Nov 28, 2012 11:34 AM in response to torokze
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 11:34 AM in response to torokze

    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!

  • by n13ldo,

    n13ldo n13ldo Nov 28, 2012 11:48 AM in response to SlipDragon
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 11:48 AM in response to SlipDragon

    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.

  • by Ciccilleju,

    Ciccilleju Ciccilleju Nov 28, 2012 11:50 AM in response to n13ldo
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 11:50 AM in response to n13ldo

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

  • by Phil Pang,

    Phil Pang Phil Pang Nov 28, 2012 6:07 PM in response to demicrown
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 6:07 PM in response to demicrown

    "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!!

  • by Jay_stl,

    Jay_stl Jay_stl Nov 28, 2012 6:41 PM in response to .Bunny
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 28, 2012 6:41 PM in response to .Bunny

    I too am having this issue. It only happens occasionally but is still very annoying. I just turn monitor off and back on and it seems to fix it, temporarily at least.

    I have Mac Mini 2012 with i7 2.6 GHZ w/16meg mem.

  • by BobH47,

    BobH47 BobH47 Nov 29, 2012 1:54 AM in response to Jay_stl
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 29, 2012 1:54 AM in response to Jay_stl

    This has been going on since release in late October. The first post on Re: Mac Mini 2012 video blinking out was 27th October!

     

    The fault appears to affect the HDMI output and users connecting from the HDMI port to HDMI monitor or DVI monitor using Apple's HDMI to DVI adapter (supplied) are reporting problems world-wide.

     

    That being the case I believe that you have two basic choices:

     

    Either return it to the store for a refund under the 14 day promise (if you have time) or report the fault to AppleCare so that you are at least logged into the system. Try to avoid trips to the genius bar or anything else that Apple staff might want you to do. My firm belief is that by now Apple have quite enough evidence of the fault to not waste more of their customers' time.

     

    If you keep the machine and can connect DVI then ask Apple to give you a TB to DVI adapter. In my case that work-around is fine until they fix the problem.

     

    Good luck.

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