Screen flicker with 2011 Mac mini?

WilliamG

Hey all,

Using HDMI out to my receiver -> TV, I get a screen flicker just once after turning on the display while watching Plex. Not sure if it's a system-wide screen flicker or just Plex, but figured I'd ask here anyway since I only use the mini for Plex. It flickers just once after maybe 5-or-so minutes, and not again until after the display is turned off and then on. And then it's a single flicker again..

This is the mid-range i2.5 connected via HDMI.

All help appreciated! Thanks!

Kristijan

I have a Panasonic plasma and have the same thing. I turn the TV on, and the screen has to flicker a few times (it displays 1080p in the corner) then settles after about 5 seconds.
This is a new 2011 macmini as well by the way.

Happens when I turn the TV on and if I switch from the macmini channel to another channel. I don't think it's Plex related either, as it happens regardless if Plex is running or not.
Connected via HDMI as well.

-Kristijan

WilliamG

Ah... *sigh*. It can never be easy with Apple these days, it seems. :) Is yours an Intel graphics 2011 mini or the ATI-powered model?

Kristijan

I just got the base model with the Intel graphics. So far so good, streams 1080p fine. I am having some issues with the Plex Media Server auto updating on OSX Lion. I'm going to have a play around with it some more tonight, then post of a topic if I can't figure it out.

-Kristijan

nabossha

i have a similar issue, which happens approx. 1 or 2 times per hour:
mac mini 2011 i7 with AMD graphics connected via HDMI to philips 52" PFL9704H (using lion)
i experience a short "black screen" (approx. 1 or 2 seconds) and then everythings back to normal. i would also say that this is not related to plex cause i have this problem also when using other lion applications such as itunes (no visualizer turned on).

WilliamG

nabossha wrote:

i have a similar issue, which happens approx. 1 or 2 times per hour:
mac mini 2011 i7 with AMD graphics connected via HDMI to philips 52" PFL9704H (using lion)
i experience a short "black screen" (approx. 1 or 2 seconds) and then everythings back to normal. i would also say that this is not related to plex cause i have this problem also when using other lion applications such as itunes (no visualizer turned on).

Just returned my AMD Core i2.5 mini for this reason. Have an Intel HD3000 mini on the way to me, which hopefully doesn't have this issue..

LiQuID

I have the same issue with the Server version with Intel graphics, connected to my Sony AMP, also does the same thing if I connect directly to Sony TV.

WilliamG

LiQuID wrote:

I have the same issue with the Server version with Intel graphics, connected to my Sony AMP, also does the same thing if I connect directly to Sony TV.

Not what I want to hear at all! :(

LiQuID

WilliamG wrote:

Not what I want to hear at all! :(

Sorry :(

Brandon Jones

Curious, I have not noticed any such issues with my new mini (i7, AMD GPU). Are your displays HDMI 1.4-compliant? It sounds suspiciously like a DRM/negotiation quirk.

trstno1

I have the screen flicker problem also. I have the 2.3 GHz i5 (with the Intel graphics) connected to a Marantz SR-5006 via HDMI. I get static/flicker 1-2 times per second for the first 5-10 seconds, then it continues once every 3-5 seconds indefinitely. I've tried different HDMI cables without improvement.

I may have to return this Mini.


***Sorry - problem fixed. My problem was the cable. Bought a brand new 1.4 compliant cable and my flicker issue went away.***

diamondsw

It sounds like what you're seeing is HDMI EDID sync. It shouldn't be happening after the initial connection is established (i.e., after the TV or receiver turns on the the Mini "finds" the display). The only reliable solution I've ever seen for computer-TV or computer-receiver connections is something that stores the EDID information, such as DVI Detective or HDMI Detective, both from Gefen. I've used both products (DVI on a 2006 Mini, HDMI on a 2011 Mini), and after inserting those into the mix, I never have any HDMI issues. Display always wakes up immediately (no HDMI sync), VNC always works (since a "display" is always present), and it never glitches during playback or switching between receiver inputs.

This may be a different issue (and if so I'm sorry to pollute the thread), but if you're having sync issues and using HDMI, I really can't recommend these (pricey) little devices enough.

Stephen Y

I use the base mac mini 2011 i5 2.3 with intel 3000hd. The flicker happen like 1-2 seconds and could happen for 3-4 per movie.
I use the hmdi 1.3 cable.

Any solutions?

diamondsw

Stephen Y wrote:

I use the base mac mini 2011 i5 2.3 with intel 3000hd. The flicker happen like 1-2 seconds and could happen for 3-4 per movie.
I use the hmdi 1.3 cable.

Any solutions?

Two have been posted - you can try a different cable to see if that helps, or even try the Gefen HDMI Detective. Nothing has changed on the software side, but it doesn't sound like software to begin with.

scottebarton@bellsouth.net

I solved the issue for me with a different monitor first... I was using an ASUS AE278 27" LED first and it flickered and would go snowy randomly several times an hour... I had an Acer 23" LED and switch it and it worked great... However, after spending 300 dollars on the ASUS, I wanted to use it... I purchased an App called SwitchResX and it fixed all the problems for me... I checked the second 1920 X 1080 selection on the list of resolutions and all my problems went away....

Scott

ConcreteLlama

I used to have this problem when using 1080p over 50hz or 60hz - my amp/TV/something really hated it and flicked off every x seconds then back on again. I figured it was either an HDMI handshaking thing or I was trying to push through too much data. I upgraded my ATI graphics card drivers recently and it hasn't been a problem since.