Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

japanime

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Feb 27, 2006
2,916
4,846
Japan
I recently purchased two MBAs for my company. One is a 2011 11-inch, the other a 2012 11-inch.

They are running side-by-side in our office, and are connected via HDMI to identical Mitsubishi external monitors.

The monitor connected to the 2011 model looks great — the contrast, colors and everything seem perfect.

The monitor connected to the 2012 model looks terrible — washed out colors, brightness and contrast levels that seem "flat." Also, sometimes when awaking from sleep, the external screen is completely blown out — practically white (even though the desktop "picture" that we use is a solid dark gray color).

At first, I figured it was the external monitors (or perhaps the HDMI cables). So, I swapped monitors and cables between the two MBAs.

Same result.

Has anyone here noticed the same thing between the video output of a 2011 model vs the 2012? Or do I have a bad 2012 on my hands?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.
 
Is this an issue just with HDMI output? I haven't noticed anything on the 2012 11" using a mini display port to DVI adaptor.

No problems here either, it seems to be a HDMI issue. The thing is, HDMI was not developed for monitor use, but for media content.
 
No problems here either, it seems to be a HDMI issue. The thing is, HDMI was not developed for monitor use, but for media content.

Displayport was really the standard developed for use as a computer display, but obviously HDMI has a lot of popularity at the lower end of desktop displays. I was somewhat surprised when it appeared on the rMBP. Apple doesn't typically offer redundant port types.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.