Mac Mini HDMI sound distortion

Question

Mac Mini HDMI sound distortion

I have a MAC MINI running OS X El Capitan.

It's connected via HDMI to a HD TV.

I'm having issues with the sound and can't seem to find any fix.

Periodically the sound get's very distorted, it's a very robotic reverb sound.

It's very intermittent. It'll occur and after sometime it will just fade out and go away on it's own.

I've switched out the HDMI cables and tried different HDMI ports and the distortion continues. I know there is nothing wrong with the TV audio.

Has anyone else encountered this or know how to fix it?

Mac mini, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5)

Posted on Jun 25, 2016 11:30 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jun 25, 2016 12:19 PM in response to donholbrookjr1964

You said "there is nothing wrong with the TV audio."

Does that mean it work OK when that HDMI input is used from another device?

Does the sound problem occur with all apps, website and iTunes?

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Answer 2

Jun 25, 2016 12:26 PM in response to lllaass

I have used other devices such as apple tv, dvd players, etc. via HDMI on this tv with no issues.

I have experienced the sound distortion from anything that requires sound, simple system alerts, iTunes music playback, youtube videos, etc.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Jun 25, 2016 12:34 PM in response to donholbrookjr1964

- Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM/PRAM

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

About NVRAM and PRAM

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

- Try starting in Safe Mode

OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

- Boot to Recovery and repair the startup disk

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

- If it is repairable reinstall the OSX

How to reinstall OS X on your Mac - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

- If you do not have a backup use disk utility to restore the internal disk to an external disk so you can try to recover data.

Then format the startup disk and do a fresh install of OSX

After resetting the SMC and NVRAM yo can also try doing a fresh install of OSX on an external drive and boot from that and see if problem persists. If it does that would point to a hardware problem. In that case make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store.

Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

https://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/

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