Users experience sound issues with Apple's 27-inch Cinema Display
Owners of Apple's new 27-inch LED Cinema Display have had problems with the hardware's speakers, with sound that cuts out and issues with volume control.
A thread was started on Apple's official discussion forums in October for problems with the new 27-inch, LED backlit screen, which sells for $999. Since then, it has grown to over 200 posts and 15 pages as of Wednesday, with numerous users reporting the same problems, while other threads (1, 2) have also been created.
Some of the new Cinema Displays completely lose sound after a period of use. Users said the only way to fix the problem is to unplug the display, and then plug it back in. But the temporary fix does not prevent the issue from returning.
There are also issues with the response time of volume control on the keyboard. Some said they experienced delays of 6 to 7 seconds after pressing a key to change the volume.
Some who contacted Apple support were sent replacement displays, but those also exhibited the same problem. Some who contacted support were told that Apple is aware of the problem, but the company could not provide any details on a potential fix.
Some said they have experienced the same issues while running the display with Windows as well, suggesting it is not a software issue related to Mac OS X. Some have found success by changing audio settings, and have suggested the problems are related to USB audio, as newer Macs that send audio over the Mini DisplayPort are apparently unaffected.
"Audio becomes disabled and I cannot even select Display Audio (USB) audio from Sound preferences pane," user hmss007a wrote. "The only options available are Internal Speakers and LED Cinema (DisplayPort), which doesn't work."
Before it was released, Apple issued a software update for the new Cinema Display. But that update simply added the ability to adjust ambient light sensor settings in the System Preferences pane.
"System power setting re-set does not fix it, nor does unplugging mini-display port," user jeremypk wrote. "Very disappointed. Puzzling because the sound did work at first (at least after installing the recommended software patch from Apple), and sound seems to be dead completely now. I hope Apple is reading this."
The 27-inch LED Cinema Display went on sale in September. It packs a 2,560-by-1,440 pixel resolution and a 178-degree viewing angle. The hardware replaced the previous 24- and 30-inch Cinema Display models.
A thread was started on Apple's official discussion forums in October for problems with the new 27-inch, LED backlit screen, which sells for $999. Since then, it has grown to over 200 posts and 15 pages as of Wednesday, with numerous users reporting the same problems, while other threads (1, 2) have also been created.
Some of the new Cinema Displays completely lose sound after a period of use. Users said the only way to fix the problem is to unplug the display, and then plug it back in. But the temporary fix does not prevent the issue from returning.
There are also issues with the response time of volume control on the keyboard. Some said they experienced delays of 6 to 7 seconds after pressing a key to change the volume.
Some who contacted Apple support were sent replacement displays, but those also exhibited the same problem. Some who contacted support were told that Apple is aware of the problem, but the company could not provide any details on a potential fix.
Some said they have experienced the same issues while running the display with Windows as well, suggesting it is not a software issue related to Mac OS X. Some have found success by changing audio settings, and have suggested the problems are related to USB audio, as newer Macs that send audio over the Mini DisplayPort are apparently unaffected.
"Audio becomes disabled and I cannot even select Display Audio (USB) audio from Sound preferences pane," user hmss007a wrote. "The only options available are Internal Speakers and LED Cinema (DisplayPort), which doesn't work."
Before it was released, Apple issued a software update for the new Cinema Display. But that update simply added the ability to adjust ambient light sensor settings in the System Preferences pane.
"System power setting re-set does not fix it, nor does unplugging mini-display port," user jeremypk wrote. "Very disappointed. Puzzling because the sound did work at first (at least after installing the recommended software patch from Apple), and sound seems to be dead completely now. I hope Apple is reading this."
The 27-inch LED Cinema Display went on sale in September. It packs a 2,560-by-1,440 pixel resolution and a 178-degree viewing angle. The hardware replaced the previous 24- and 30-inch Cinema Display models.
Comments
I must say, though, that overall I love the monitor. My only gripe is that the default color profile has a slight bluish tint. I understand that LEDs tend to skew blue, but couldn't this have been fixed at the factory? I know I can calibrate the color using the rather cumbersome utility that Apple includes, but that's kind of a pain.
But really -- I do like the monitor. I even like the glass covering -- it makes it so much easier to clean.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
love this display and wish i could get one. but it is really sad that apple doesn't offer the 24 or even a 22 for people who want to use a mini and have to get some ugly dell etc rather than shell out 999 dollars
The 24" did not have these issues did they?
It's a great monitor, love it and it looks incredible next to my 27" iMacs.
One has to wonder... what changed between the 24" and the 27".
The 24" did not have these issues did they?
Agreed that is a good question. Our 24" is flawless and we test it to the limits by alternately attaching two different MBPs in rapid succession all the time as the wife and I fight over it. I was about to get the larger one but now I think I'll wait a while.
...this must be one tiny minority of users. I once again know a lot of people including a UK, Japanese and US university who each have 30+ of these and no issues, only have one myself and again no issues. Let's wait for the media to blow it out all proportion and users of this site (who have not experienced an issue and probably haven't even used the product) to berate Apple once again.
It's a great monitor, love it and it looks incredible next to my 27" iMacs.
Oh, that is good to know.
Strangely enough the microphone only goes through USB and I have had it go dead trying to use it with FaceTime. Funny the iSight camera hasn't gone out. Pretty annoying. Shut down and reboot fixes it but not restart. Since I set preferences to use displayport for audio at least the speakers don't seem to go dead and I seldom use the mic.
I love the display, it would be hard to give it up. I also have little kids and they can't help but touch the screen, the glass panel makes it a breeze to clean.
I'm hoping it's a firmware issue related to the fact that now audio can go through either displayport or USB and the damn thing gets confused. Of course I'm also hoping apple fixes the issue.
One has to wonder... what changed between the 24" and the 27".
The 24" did not have these issues did they?
I'm pretty sure on the 24" the audio only goes through USB.
On the 27" you now have the option to go through either USB or displayport.
Maybe someone with a 24"'can confirm?
The 27-inch LED Cinema Display went on sale in September. It packs a 2,560-by-1,440 pixel resolution and a 178-degree viewing angle. The hardware replaced the previous 24- and 30-inch Cinema Display models.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
love this display and wish i could get one. but it is really sad that apple doesn't offer the 24 or even a 22 for people who want to use a mini and have to get some ugly dell etc rather than shell out 999 dollars[/QUOTE]
Agree.
They should also offer the 21.5" screen they use in the smaller iMac.
Coughing up the dough for the 27" sucked, but now that I have it I couldn't go back to something smaller/ lower resolution.
God People, so it get's a little bit on the blue side and makes weird noises - let's just talk about how great it is. The 27" Cinema display is elegant, gorgeous, magical, and delicious. Isn't this enough for you whiners??????????
@nkhm: this can't be a minority. i have two (out of two) 27" displays behaving this way and ther is a guy on the support forum with 16 affected displays.
the biggest issue: it becomes worse with time. while the 'fixes' lasted for a couple of days initially, i am unplugging my display at least twice a day now.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1026132
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1027419
also apple's site has a huge thread on it too. lots of problems i hope they can fix it.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread....11014&tstart=0
thanks for the writeup hopefully this will get some attention to the issue so that apple can fix it.
I'd like to thank AI for posting on this. It is a major issue.
I do not use iChat often, so I do not see the mic or video issue for me. This is a major issue and Apple support has even ignored my emails when I was told, "Any issues, just email me" from the level II support person. I've emailed just twice respectfully, without a response.
My guess is this is a hardware issue and Apple will have to replace the monitors, but will do so quietly. Eventually, all replacement monitors will work without Apple acknowledging it at all. This is just a guess as I hope I am wrong and a firmware is released.