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I got my retina Macbook Pro this week and have been waiting for my Thunderbolt to DVI adapters to get here so I can hook them up to my external displays. In the meantime, I am using an HDMI to DVI cable to hook up to my monitor.

I've noticed every once in a while, the monitor I am using will sometimes go blank for a second and then back. It doesn't happen very often, but I'm not sure if this has to do with the cable, monitor, or my retina Macbook Pro.

I've tried multiple cables, and have been using this monitor previously to the retina Macbook Pro, so I don't think the monitor is the issue.

Do you think this is an issue with the laptop? Something graphics card related? I can't seem to figure out why this randomly happens.

I was able to catch this happening on video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vGeDR48E8w

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What model of display/monitor are you using? It sounds like it could be blanking out temporarily during an HDCP handshake. – jmhindle Jun 26 '12 at 18:19
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I get the same issue with two different cables and two different displays (1080p monitor and 1080p TV) using a straight HDMI to HDMI connection each time. It happens only once within 10 minutes of first connecting up the display. – neilmw Jul 15 '12 at 7:40
Any luck with this? Mine does the same thing. – NullReference Jul 22 '12 at 21:49
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Just as a datapoint, I have this same issue using a Mini-DP to Dual Link DVI adapter, as referenced in my answer at apple.stackexchange.com/questions/57734/…. I have yet to find the cause too.. – Caesium Aug 5 '12 at 21:15
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Just tested, and the issue is still present on OSX 10.8.2. – neilmw Sep 21 '12 at 8:41
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3 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

Try disabling Automatic Graphics Switching in the System Preferences-Energy Saver. This may be working for me, though I haven't figured out how to reproduce the 1-2 second blanking, so only time will tell.

I'm running 10.8.2 on a new rMBP and have the same issue - The external display goes blank for 1-2 seconds when connected to a 1680 x 1050 display via the HDMI connector and the rMBP is closed and in a stand. There is no movement of the rMBP, the HDMI cable or monitor when this happens.

I have not experienced the same momentary blanking of the rMBP's display when using only the native display.

It doesn't happen often (2-3 times per day) so it's more of an irritation that I don't expect from a nearly $3,000 piece of hardware.

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up vote 0 down vote

Here's the connection from MBP to monitor:

MBP - Adapter - Cable - Monitor

Let's assume MBP has no problem, and you've ruled out your cable since you've tested many , also the monitor should is fine as it's working fine. That leaves the adapter.

And I've had experiences with a few bad adapters, and that has happened to me.

I am not completely sure if it's the problem, but I will start there. Since Retina MBP and MBP use the same graphics, so I don't think MBP is the problem.

Good Luck

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up vote -2 down vote

This is a known issue with OSX and the Retina MacBook Pro. Apple are currently working on a fix. OSX 10.8.1 is due shortly which should address the problem.

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I've just updated to 10.8.1 and that does not fix the problem for me :(. Mine cuts out briefly when I move the computer even the slightest amount. I hope its a software issue as I dont really want to return the machine for such a small thing :( – user27941 Aug 23 '12 at 20:25
Could you either update this with a bug report number (radar or openradar.appspot.com/page/1) or perhaps move this to comments? – bmike♦ Nov 21 '12 at 0:20

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