Mac Mini (2018) Serious Monitor Issue

Maybe you are right. If it's true, il would be a shame i guess.

What do you mean by that "The HDMI A/B switch is matchbox size"?

I am not sure to understand. You suggest me to use a HDMI switch or HDMI splitter?

I am using two external display. I guess you are talking about splitter.

If you can suggest a model, please let me know.

Though I am not sure how to check my log files, I am experiencing a similar issue to the one you describe. I have a custom build Mac Mini 2018 with an LG 27UK850-W monitor. If I shutdown the mac, I am not able to get the display back without an SMC reset and using the HDMI connection (rather than the USB-C connection).

it appears that my issue was the Alienware Gaming Monitor. - 34" Curved MDL# aw3418dw. I've rebooted twice now, even powered it off completely and turned it on with ZERO problems. I have two of these monitors side by side, and an Asus 34" curved overlooking the two. Plugged it into that and bam, worked like a charm.

Can you link to what you bought? EBay purchases take minimum 2 weeks to deliver so I’m a bit surprised by your post.

Splitters will not work, only switches. A switch will ALWAYS work, all it does is automate manually removing the cable and plugging in another. A splitter will likely NOT work. Please check what you’ve bought, especially the HDMI cables and post a photo of the setup.

Yes i bought a switch hdmi a/b on amazon. Shipped in 24 hours.

https://www.google.fr/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwi-25egsMffAhVjte0KHXdOCNgYABALGgJkZw&sig=AOD64_2r6c-4HqhDJt6vI9y5LEasRHd4QQ&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjAu5KgsMffAhU1tHEKHYDKD3oQwg96BAgMECo&adurl=

To change external display, either the projector or the tv, i had to press the button on it. All the critica were good on it.

All the hdmi cable used on it were good. Not cheap.

did i do a mistake?

I don’t understand French but the description says splitter. This one doesn’t, what’s more, it has a picture showing your configuration.

https://www.amazon.fr/4K60HZ-bidirectional-Blu-Ray-Support-Electricity/dp/B07CYQ9HPD/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1546167257&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=HDMI+switch+a+b&psc=1

I agree about everything you said.

the problem seems to be with the receiver.

if i connect directly the projector to the mac, same for the bravia, i will have no issues.

i never had any problems with the receiver with other macbook pro 2011 and 2018. Firmware is up to date on the receiver. It’s old but its always worked.

what do you think?

you understod my problems perfectly, thanks a lot for that.

if you have ideas, please let me know.

But again, if i connect the mac mini to the receiver without connecting the bravia television, i will have no problem.

so i am not even sure the receiver is an issue.

the receiver seems to be an issue only when another external display is plugged. In my case, the sony bravia.

that’s insane. Lol

tell me please if i am not clear.

It’ll work with HDMI. With TB3, problematic unfortunately. The newer one specifically states Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, the older ones not. USB-C refers to the connector only, is not a guarantee of DP connectivity to TB3 (as numerous members have discovered).

All the best.

All your advices are good.

however, i tried 4 hdmi cables to connect my receiver, always the same issue. I managed to avoid getting signal dropped with using a classic hdmi splitter. Hdmi out from the mac mini to the splitter. 2 out from the splitter, one to the bravia tv and one to the receiver managing the projector.

this solution prove something is wrong with the mac mini managing hdmi on certain external display.

splitter a/b didnt work, the one i ordered anyway...

Scenario 1:

if i am using only one external display (only one display is plugged), either the sony bravia 1080p or the epson projector through my yamaha receiver, everything will work perfectly well. Whatever cable or adaptater i am using.

Scenario 2:

my two external display are plugged. I am using only one, for example watching movies. No problem with the bravia. Problems occured with the projector. Losing signal sometimes for 1 or 2 seconds. Tried 4 hdmi cables, many adaptater, apple,... nothing fixed it.

Scenario 3

my two external display are plugged without using my receiver yamaha. (Hdmi direct between the projector and mac mini).

no losing signal. It’s working great

So, something is going wrong with the mac handling my receiver but only when using two display!!!!

when using one display, only the receiver connected to projector, everything is perfect!

crazy to me.

please ideas

I’m confused. Scenario 2 & 3: Is it with the splitter? And it’s working? If not, the splitter is not what you want. It’s designed differently inside from the switch. Consider ordering one that doesn’t mention “splitter”.

Also forget the USB-C mode and related adapters. It will never work perfectly with HDMI. Stick with the HDMI port.

Also, what is the model of your Yamaha receiver?

i cannot use the splitter because it’s duplicate the signal: my tv is stereo, my receiver is dolby digital, true hd, dts, dts hd. So, when using the splitter, i cannot use this sounds on my home cinema.

also, the mac mini is seeing the sony tv, not the receiver. Only 2 speakers are possible in the midi app, not the 8 i need.

moreover, i am not sure that its good for the mac mini to duplicate a signal from the hdmi port when there are 4 other usbc ports available!!!! Lol

it’s unbelievable to me.

What you think?

for the model of the yamaha it’s Yamaha RX-V467. Is it what you need?

i bought the mac mini for more that 2k.

it’s a shame that this mac cannot handle two external display easily in 1080p when theorically, it should handle 4 screens in 4k... thats what Apple said on his website.

now, thanks for the suggestion. However, changing my receiver is not an option because my projector is not 4k. If i change, i change everything.

for the dock, it could be an option, but honnestly it makes me nuts to spend more money when the mac mini should handle easily multiple screens...

what do you think?

Ok just discovered something new...

i didnt losing signal for 5hours and i was happy with it.

just restarted the mac to check if it’s still good.

after restarting or shuting down the computer, or waking up from sleep, i am losing signal back again when... it happened randomly, after 10 minutes, 30 minutes , 1h, etc.

it absolutely crazy. If apple can stop fooling us around it would be appreciate.

something is wrong with hdmi management of this new mac mini 2018. I dont know if its the graphic card driver, the logic board, mojave or hardware.

but clearly, it’s crazy.

there is no sense, no logic. Nothing.

Also something strange maybe.

please check the picture follow.

my projector epson is connected in hdmi direct and my sony tv is connected with usbc hdmi adapter apple.

how come i dont see it correcly in the settingz? Same with midi app!

i tried reset pram and smc. Nothing change. Disconnect and reconnect also.

whats your opinion? May be related to my other problems?!

thanks.