Retina MBP HDMI to DVI Question

[DJAKO]

I got my retina MBP 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 older HDMI to DVI cable I got from Best Buy a few years ago. This is the cable (http://www.amazon.com/Dynex-1080p-DVI-D-Single-Cable/dp/B0013NDHNU)

Anyways...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 rMBP.

I have two of the exact same HDMI to DVI cables and I've noticed it happen with both of them. It might happen once an hour and even though it may be only a second, it's enough for me to notice.

Do you think it's a problem with the rMBP or something else? Would love to hear your opinions.

Update, as of posting this it still hasn't happened again. So it definitely is very infrequent. What do you guys think?

Thanks!

 

[CFoss]

Try connecting another device to the monitor and see if the same issues occur. My old Viewsonic monitor will randomly flash out at times.

 

[DJAKO]

Try connecting another device to the monitor and see if the same issues occur. My old Viewsonic monitor will randomly flash out at times.

Well I used to have my old MBP (2006) running on the monitor, but that used a straight DVI - DVI connection. This one is using HDMI - DVI, so I didn't know if that was causing an issue.

 

[DJAKO]

I was able to finally catch this happening on video. Had my iPhone propped up on a box and was just filming until it happened. I apologize for the audio, as I was watching Tekzilla on my other computer

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

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

 

[SDAVE]

Don't even waste your time with HDMI to DVI.

Get this.

 

[DJAKO]

Don't even waste your time with HDMI to DVI.

Get this.

Thanks for the suggestion, I do plan on ordering something like that, but in the meantime, I want to know if the issue I am having is normal, something to do with HDMI and DVI, or something wrong with the laptop.

 

[SDAVE]

What resolution and monitor are you running there?

Usually it's DVI to HDMI. I find HDMI to DVI rare, because HDMI is mostly used for 16:9 aspect and sometimes 4:3 (rare).

 

[DJAKO]

What resolution and monitor are you running there?

Usually it's DVI to HDMI. I find HDMI to DVI rare, because HDMI is mostly used for 16:9 aspect and sometimes 4:3 (rare).

22 in Samsung monitor at 1680x1050.

 

[SDAVE]

22 in Samsung monitor at 1680x1050.

That might be it. Even though HDMI supports that resolution, it might be an issue since it's a 16:10 signal and not a 16:9 video signal.

1680x1050 is not a native video signal, it's a computer signal.

Your best bet is the cheap monoprice cable and you shouldn't have any issues anymore

 

[Moriarty]

Weird! I have this issue as well... on an old late-2007 Macbook.

I have a mini-DVI -> HDMI adapter that I use to connect to either my HDTV or my computer monitor. If it's connected to my computer monitor, the HDMI cable plugs back into an HDMI -> DVI converter to the monitor (Dell 2209WA).

It seems to stop doing it if I push the mini-DVI -> HDMI adapter into the computer a bit harder . Perhaps the connections are a little dodgy? Though our issues may not be related as we do have a different setup...

 

[DJAKO]

I have been testing it on my LCD tv with a standard HDMI - HDMI cable and haven't had any of the issues. Wonder if that's the reason why.

 

[SDAVE]

I have been testing it on my LCD tv with a standard HDMI - HDMI cable and haven't had any of the issues. Wonder if that's the reason why.

That's why I mentioned. HDTV's support: 640x480, 1280x720, 1920x1080.

1680x1050 is a nonstandard resolution. DVI does not carry the HDMI specifications so it can support different resolutions.

MiniDisplay port (also thunderbolt on your laptop) supports DVI specifications AND HDMI.

You will have no issues if you get that Monoprice cable.

 

[WaltCD]

Don't even waste your time with HDMI to DVI.

Get this.

I'm having a similar issue on my late-2013 Retina Macbook Pro: When I plug in the HDMI to DVI cable, the computer screen will go blank, the monitor will light up, like it's receiving a signal, the computer screen might come back up, but only for a second, then both screens go black blank and stay blank. Even unplugging the cable will not get the computer screen to come back up. The only thing to do is hold down the power button until the computer shuts off. Then restart (with the cable still unplugged!).

Using this cable you suggested is not an option since this computer does not have a min-display port. Only two Thunderbolt ports.