OSX Mavericks problem with cintiq 13hd

Does your iMac have an HDMI socket, or do you use an adaptor?

After the Mavericks upgrade on my MacBook Pro 17" (Mid 2009) my Cintiq 13HD had an annoying intermittent "blink" or shot-off and back-on of varying length's and intervals. I had read, and subsequently did in fact find, that a PRAM NVRAM reset (Command>Option>P>R) fixed the blink, but after then resetting the Energy Setting in systems Preferences to "Best Performance" (to keep necessary 3D functionality in PS CC) the "blink" returned.

I then saw, here in the Apple Community in an old 2012 OS X 10.8 update thread by @koliaG a suggestion by @GISMAC, that starting the computer without the peripheral display attached, then connecting the mini display adaptor (in that case a VGA -in my case to HDMI) alone, and then the display to the adaptor allows the computer to recognize the adapted means of peripheral video connectivity and then subsequently the display and it's differing resolution.

The mini display adapters further complicate things by apparently being notoriously faulty. I am on my third brand now.

Yeah, sorry -looks like I posted too soon here as well. My blinking Cintiq (13HD) issue is back. I have a new work around now too, but don't know why it works yet, but it won't be tenable in the field. Need to sort ASAP.

I have the same problem with my iMac late 2012 and my Cintiq 13 hd, but there are times when turning on the cintiq works without the black screen.

have you installed the latest driver software for your Cintiq? From http://us.wacom.com/en/support/drivers, that appears to have been released on October 15th of this year.

I too am still sorting Cintiq 13HD issues I didn't have before upgrading to Mavericks, though I have made some progress. I have sorted the obvious, like declining Mission Controls new multi screen function, which as yet does not appear compatible with screen tablet use, at least as we know it. Unlike others in this thread though, I am working on a MacBook Pro 17" (mid 2009), which further complicates Cintiq function and any solutions I may find may not apply to other Mac computers. However, as I was drawn to this Cintiq 13HD thread, perhaps there are others with Mac similar enough to benefit from my 2 cents.

I have determined that the likely screen resolution fumble now happening for my Cintiq in Mavericks, manifested as a intermittent and indeterminate length "blinking" off & back on, is caused by the Cintiq's adaptive HDMI connection via the (pre Thunderbird) mini display port. I have read that the 2008-2009 MacBooks required a different model adapter, than the simple Mini display to HDMI unit. I've read its necessary to use an adapter that has the additional piggy backed USB connection to the computer for (missing audio), aditional power, and better support for 1080p resolution. Though audio is not necessary for Cintiqs, I believe the addition of a differing architecture and/or routing, power supply, and support for 1080p better suits the these earlier PowerBooks.

This is otherwise born out, in that I, currently can successfully run the Cintiq now with a Matrox "DualHead2Go" line splitter designed to run multiple displays, which had not been a forte of earlier Macs. Besides splitting the line, it does have the extra USB connection, power, and drivers to support current 1080p resolution in Mavericks.

I have returned a "kanex iAdapt V2' for an earlier "kanex iAdapt 20" with aforementioned mini display and USB connection in hopes of having a connection as designed by Cintiq, as well as less bulky for field use. I will report on it's relative success.

Just received an e-Mail from Wacom, wih a possible solution.

You have to remove all of the drivers and preferences and then install the lates Driver in my case 'pro637-3.dmg'.

This must be done like it was an first install (without the USB connection, and so on). I let you all know if this was the solution.

>>>RESULT<<<

Now, finally, able to SIMPLY plug in the Cintiq 13HD screen tablet to the 4 year old MacBook Pro 17 to it's (pre-Thunderbolt) mini display via proper ID'ed adapter, the kanex "iAdapt 20", now all the more critical after the upgrade to Mavericks.

>>2008 & 2009 MacBook Pro's require the additional USB connection with HDMI adapters<<

The additional USB connection (at the Mac Top) is described as supplying the missing audio at the older mini display ports, but apparently the USB aided architecture or routing, additional power, and/or better support for 1080p resolution is the critical necessity for the Cintiq 13HD HDMI connectivity, especially in OS X 10.9.

So, now the Cintiq 13HD is connected both simply via the kanex iAdat 20 to the MacBoopk Pro for field use (as designed), as well as paired with a 23" Apple Cinema Display for home studio use via a Matrox "DualHead2Go".

Hi Joenade, sorry you're still having trouble connecting your Cintiq 13HD to your 2012 iMac and my solution(s) have only been more confusing.

First of all, please ignore my earlier post about what sequence the Cintiq and it's adapter are plugged in. In my case, this turned out to not have any bearing on what otherwise was a successful solution.

Second, my solution is unique to the 2008-2009 MacBook Pro's with a single pre-"Thunderbolt" mini diplay port. I believe your 2012 iMac has two later "Thunderbolt" ports with which to connect peripheral displays(?). This Apple port and plug design, now two generations old, are confusing, as they are visually identical and I don't believe can be swapped for Cintiq use now, if ever. My 4 year old MacBook Pro requires an additional USB connection for it's HDMI adapter, -Your Thunderbolt to HDMI Adaptor Should Not. Make sure, however, that the adaptor you are using is in fact the Thunderbolt design and supports at least 1080p resolution. All mini display adaptors, HMDI or otherwise, are notoriously bad, or simply do not work. I highly recommend the kanex iAdapt V2 for your use. (Please click on that kanex link to see that HDMI adaptor I beleive apropriate for your use.)

I did have a belkin mini display (which was mistakenly the later Thunderbolt design) to HDMI adaptor fail causing my Cintiq screen to appear streaked or damaged. After calling Wacom, they called attention to the likely adapter simply failing and recomended the kanex, among other brands that are known and tested by Wacom to work with the Cintiqs.

Our Cintiq 13HD screen tablets had worked presumably well connected to our respective Macs BEFORE we updating their operating systems to OS X 10.9 Mavericks. Among the many other "improvements" in this upgrade ironically, is improved "multiple display support". (Additionaly, but not critial to this issue at hand is, the also inhanced "Mission Control" feature. It now allows for virtually "switching" between Desktop workspaces independently between multiple displays, BUT is not, as yet (as I understand it), compatible for use with screen tablets and MUST BE TURNED OFF in Mission Control Preferences in order to use any of the Cintiqs as we have before.)

Mission Control's switchable features and preferences aside, I believe it is Mavericks enhanced multi display "support" that is now too smart for our connected displays good. In other words, Mavericks is now looking for a much more specific kind of connection for displays in order to better support them. I also believe this support is more oriented toward passive displays, and is axaserbated with "stylus" screen tablet connection with much more complex interaction between the user, screen display and computer. This new circumstance I believe yields a unique "resolution conflict" between our Cintiq and the new OS X 10.9, crashing your iMac, or in my older MacBook Pro's case, blinked off and on, intermittently for irregular amounts of time.

Aside from making sure your HDMI adpator is Thunderbolt and 1080p compatable, it may likely being necessary to reset your NVRAM and PRAM (at start up, before the appearance of the gray screen, hold down the Command/Option/P/R keys simultaneously until computer restarts again for second time) My apologies for stating the obvious if you already know this reset, however intel-based Macs store NVRAM memory and PowerPC PRAM, including critical "Screen Resolution" data. After any display resolution conflict, it's always good to reset these now likely corrupted memory settings.

I hope this better describes the "connection" (HDMI adaptor) issue I believe is causing display "resolution conflicts" now more likely in the upgraded Mavericks and it's "improved multi-display" working environment.

Hi Joenade,

did you solved?

I have the same problem.

I have tried on an other Imac (OS Maverick) and the Cintiq 13 works perfecty.

The only difference between the 2 Imac is that they have 2 different video cards.

The one working has a ATI Radeon. (Imac of 2011)

The one not working (Imac of August 2013) has an Nvidia Geforce 640

I have discovered a trick.

If I put the monitor on sleep with CMD + ALT + Eject and then I turn on the Cintiq, it will work without problems.

Is it probably a video card issue? On the Nvidia site I didn't find any updated drivers.

I have a KanaaN adaptor.

Let me know if you have found a solution.

Thanks!