Q: Mini Port to HDMI issues

Hi all,

Using a 2012 MacBook Pro (iOS El Capitan 10.11.5) here. Recently began using a Mini Port to HDMI to connect my laptop to an external display (32" Westinghouse HDTV). I had a ton of issues actually getting the display to work. It randomly disconnects and will only reconnect if I restart my computer while holding opt+cmd+f1. If I don't do that, even holding option while on the system prefs > display screen and selecting "Detect Displays" does not work.

I set the laptop to display a screensaver which keeps the display from disconnecting (so far as I can tell).

IF my laptop is open, then I can get the external display to play audio. While the laptop is open, I can select the correct external HDMI sound output from the system prefs > sound menu and again on the Audio Midi app. However, if I close the laptop, the external display continues to work but the audio output reverts to the laptop instead of the TV and the HDMI audio disappears from the sound and Audio Midi app.

Any ideas on either of these issues?

Additional, possibly pertinent information:

The TV is brand new, make/model Westinghouse WD32HD1390

The Mini Port is brand new, Insignia brand

HDMI cord is GE brand, but just a spare I had around the house. It was connecting my Wii U to my living room TV with no issues.