HT201177: Get help with video issues on external displays connected to your Mac

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alx83

Q: My new Mac Mini is plugged directly into my tv via hdmi cable and the screen will abruptly go blank and then return after a few seconds. Why is this happening?

So I recently got a Mac Mini about two weeks ago and for some reason while I am on it the display will go blank and then return after a few seconds. It is happening very frequently. I checked the HDMI cable, I checked my tv and nothing seems to be wrong with them and I don't know what is going on.

 

I am getting a bit frustrated because this Mac is brand spanking new and it is totally acting up for no reason whatsoever.

 

Could someone please help me with this? I don't want my new computer to be useless. I need it.

Mac mini (Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Nov 23, 2012 10:47 AM

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Q: My new Mac Mini is plugged directly into my tv via hdmi cable and the screen will abruptly go blank and then return after a few se ... more

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Nov 23, 2012 12:19 PM in response to alx83
    Level 10 (123,623 points)
    Nov 23, 2012 12:19 PM in response to alx83

    Hello, sad to report, it's a frequent HDMI problem on the newer Minis, with no fix yet...

     

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4472316?tstart=0

  • by LousyFool,

    LousyFool LousyFool Nov 23, 2012 12:32 PM in response to alx83
    Level 4 (2,645 points)
    Nov 23, 2012 12:32 PM in response to alx83

    Which TV model do you have?

     

    Be aware of the fact that very many TVs do expect video signals on their HDMI inputs, not data signals from Macs or PCs. Please consult your TV manual if PCs or Macs can definitely be connected via HDMI, or if e.g. only DVI or RGB/VGA connectors are to be used.

    In case of DVI inputs for data being present, it's not a problem if an HDMI->DVI adapter, or better, cable is being used.

     

    Many users here are overlooking this potential reason for problems, assuming that HDMI outputs must always communicate with any HDMI input, certainly also because TV manufacturers do not "advertise" such limitations loudly.

     

    AV receivers with multiple HDMI inputs and a single HDMI video output to the TV are typically more "tolerant" and provide a sort of "converter" function. If present, feed a Mac's HDMI signal into the receiver, not the TV directly. If the receiver does not have enough HDMI inputs, consider to connect rather a video source (DVD player or similar) directly to the TV than the the Mac.

  • by LousyFool,

    LousyFool LousyFool Nov 23, 2012 12:34 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 4 (2,645 points)
    Nov 23, 2012 12:34 PM in response to BDAqua

    Well, admittedly, this could "override" my other post here. For now, at least, until there is a fix...

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Nov 23, 2012 12:48 PM in response to alx83
    Level 7 (20,844 points)
    Mac OS X
    Nov 23, 2012 12:48 PM in response to alx83

    I have read that the TV needs to be powered on and switched to HDMI before the Mac is powered up with HDMI connectivity.

     

    I doubt this will alter any existing issues mentioned here, but may be worth investigating.

     

    If someone would invent a Gbit Ethernet to HDMI adapter cable, I could test this with the TV out in the living room.

  • by alx83,

    alx83 alx83 Dec 2, 2012 1:23 PM in response to LousyFool
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 2, 2012 1:23 PM in response to LousyFool

    I've checked the manual for my Sony Bravia. And it needed a VGA connection to work properly.

     

    I attempted using a HDMI to VGA converter and everything appeared to be fine, but then when I was about 20 minutes into using my computer it started to have the same problem all over again.

     

    I think it's the HDMI port of the Mac Mini that is messed up.

     

    I'm going to go ahead and have Apple take a look at it seeing as I do have Apple Care Protection on it.

     

    Thanks for all the insight, though.

  • by VikingOSX,

    VikingOSX VikingOSX Dec 2, 2012 2:39 PM in response to alx83
    Level 7 (20,844 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 2, 2012 2:39 PM in response to alx83

    Last week, I read online that Intel has acknowledged HDMI-only issues with the HD4000 drivers and is working with Apple for a corrective software update. No timeline was offered.