Static Sound When Connecting Macbook Pro to Thunderbolt Display

Every so often when I connect my late 2013 Retina 15-inch Macbook Pro to my Thunderbolt Display it will product static for about three seconds, it sounds like a wave since the volume increases and then decreases. I've searched the forums and am just curious if this is a known issue. It's very odd.

It sounds like you're already using the best way. The Thunderbolt port is also a Mini DisplayPort, so you're connecting it DisplayPort to DisplayPort. The reason that is the best way is most other cables, including HDMI in my experience, will not reach the 2560x1440 resolution. (HDMI will probably drive that monitor at 1080p, or only 1920x1080.)
If DVI were to be used, it would have to be the expensive Dual-Link DVI because regular old Single Link DVI isn't capable of 2560x1440. It's a good thing the MacBook has Mini DisplayPort on it instead of DVI (like the older Apple laptops did) because DisplayPort cables are far cheaper than Dual-Link DVI adapters.
You can't do better than the connection you're already using.

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Hi Lynn,
If you're positive you have the correct cables, and positive they work, they must be plugged into an input on the TV made for that purpose, then that input must be selected on the TV's menu.

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Hi nicicloud,
It's been a while and I hope you would still notice my reply.
I am having the same issue where Thunderbolt Display does not have HiDPI options in System Preferences.
I am using a 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display.
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Can you try setting your TBD resolution to 1280x720 with HiDPI?
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randy reynoso wrote:
I'm trying to connect my mbp to an LG TV.
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R.
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Finally, some iTunes movies have DRM restrictions that will block the video from going to your TV.

Can I connect both PC and MacBook Pro to Thunderbolt display?

Hello,
I've new MacBook Pro 15" 2011 model (with Thunderbolt port) along with a PC (with DVI output.) I would like to get new Thunderbolt display. Can I connect both PC and Mac at the same time to Thunderbolt display? i.e., I don't want to disconnect wires at all the time and I also I'm going to use Thunderbolt cable when connecting Mac to display.
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Your MBPro (w/TB) should have no problems connecting to the newer TB display!!!
You can NOT connect the PC to the TB display. The Apple website mentions that the display can connect to any "Thunderbolt Enabled" Mac.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC914?mco=MTgwOTQzMzk#overview

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Lay the closed MBP upside down on a flat tabletop and press gently on its bottom pan with a thumb, working systematically over the entire surface square inch by square inch until you identify the area within which pressure produces the sound.
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k9kate wrote:
"Note that you'll have to change the input/source to the input you used from the MBP." Can you elaborate a bit?
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Try using an app like to get the stranince resolution:
SwitchResX – The Most Versatile Tool For Controlling Screen Resolutions On Your Mac
Display Menu from Mac App Store
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PC InterfaceVGA (HD-15)
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http://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-le19r86wd-19-lcd-tv/specs/

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Hello,
Although I am fairly confident that I know at least one answer to this question, I thought it would be best to pitch it to the members of Apple communities, just to see if there is a better way to get to where I need to go. I have a MacBook Pro that I bought in July of 2007 for college. At this point, I know that it is fairly out of date, but I'm reluctant to throw down another three grand for a new one until I absolutely need to. Anyway, I want to connect it to my HDTV to play movies, games, etc. As this is an old model of the MBP, the Mini Display Port is not available. I do, however, have an Apple DVI port, as well as the (then included) Apple DVI to VGA cable/converter. Now, I know that VGA cannot transfer sound, but I think that DVI can. So here's my problem. If I create a bridge of wires to my HDTV, would sound come through? My idea is this: connect Apple DVI to VGA, then have a VGA to DVI converter, then have a DVI to HDMI cable, which connects to my HDTV. With all of those connections, however, I'm worried that something will go wrong along the way, and it won't work out. What I really need is an Apple DVI to HDMI cable, but I'm pretty sure those do not exist.
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danz0r wrote:
Hey tjk,
Thanks for the response.
Do you have any recommendations for a potential set up? The audio output and Apple DVI are on different sides of my MBP, which is alright, I guess I can get two long cables to handle each. I was hoping to just have my MBP closer to where I use it, with a cord nearby plugged in on one side to the HDTV and resting near where I keep my MBP for when I want to use the HDTV as an external monitor.
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http://www.supermediastore.com/product/u/apogee-dvi-to-hdmi-converter-spdif-opti cal-toslink-coaxial-input-output?utm_source=cj&utm_medium=aff&utm_content=HDMI+A ccessories
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Hi,
I have an external display which has dvi & displayport outputs. I currently connect it to my desktop using the displayport however my MacBook Pro (late 13) only has the thunderbolt / mini displayport & HDMI. Bearing in mind that my monitor is 2560 x 1440, what would be the best way to connect my MacBook to it?
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It sounds like you're already using the best way. The Thunderbolt port is also a Mini DisplayPort, so you're connecting it DisplayPort to DisplayPort. The reason that is the best way is most other cables, including HDMI in my experience, will not reach the 2560x1440 resolution. (HDMI will probably drive that monitor at 1080p, or only 1920x1080.)
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Macbook pro and Thunderbolt display on battery power no go.

I use my macbook pro mainly on my desk with the thunderbolt display and its lid closed. While having the power adapter connected to the macbook everything works fine. When I disconnect the power adaptor and try to wake up the computer it comes to life for a few seconds and then goes back to sleep for good. I cannot use the thunderbolt display while having the macbook on battery power. That causes the issue of the battery not discharging which I am aware is pretty bad. Any advice is welcome. Thanks.

I kind of figured this out. The reason I wasn't satisfied was that without the power adaptor when you hit a button on the keyboard the monitor actually wakes up the computer, works fine for a few seconds and then puts the computer to sleep. That kind of proves that it does work, technically at least. The problem is going into sleep mode afterwards.
Anyway i guess it just doesnt work. Thanks.
ps. If there is a way of discharging the battery with software while the power adaptor was still on, would be great help.

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Hello. I recieved yesterday a Macbook Pro 15 and a Cinema Display 27. When I connected them the weirdest thing happens: the display turns on and off along with the Macbook, and the screen savers are the same in both, and when I move the cursor it moves in the Display, but except this nothing else shows me that there is a connection between them. All that appears in the Display is the original wallpaper, not a single icon or anything else.
What can be happening.
Thank you.
Sebastian.

It sounds like you're not using the mirror display setting, so you're seeing the extended desktop on the external display, which is the default setting by the way.
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I have made the Magic Mouse and keyboard favorites and it didn't help.
Does anyone have any idea? I am running 10.6.8.
Thanks

GaryKing, can you review how you reset the .plist files for both the Bluetooth keyboard and mouse?
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Retina macbook pro with thunderbolt display causes speaker issues

I have a thunderbolt display and used the speakers fine on old macbook pro. I now plug in my new retina macbook pro 15" with mountain lion and the sound plays fine for a while then starts to crackle real bad and then stops all together. If I switch the the laptop speakers then switch back after 30 or so minutes the thunderbolt speakers will work again for a short amount of time then again crackle and stop.
This may be mountain lion related but I have tried another non-retina version macbook pro with mountain lion and did not notice the issue but it was only for an hour or so. So this leads me to belive its the computer.
Any suggestions? its really really anoying and wasting my time trying to fix it.

I have the exact same issue. I hauled the TB Display into the Apple Store 3 times and finally they replaced it. Come to find out this new one has the same issue still. So It has to be rMBP related at this point. Unfortunately I don't think I have it under warranty still and the issue is hard to demonstrate. I recorded videos of it but every time I go into the store and plug it is the same as switching the speakers from internal to external and it takes 30-60 mins before it degrates to scratching sounds.
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When I'm in my office I use it on the display don't have the display anytime I'm not in the office.
Given the larger pixel dimension on the display, when I'm in the office and use the display, I'm having to re-size windows constantly to make maximum use of the real estate.
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I kind of figured this out. The reason I wasn't satisfied was that without the power adaptor when you hit a button on the keyboard the monitor actually wakes up the computer, works fine for a few seconds and then puts the computer to sleep. That kind of proves that it does work, technically at least. The problem is going into sleep mode afterwards.
Anyway i guess it just doesnt work. Thanks.
ps. If there is a way of discharging the battery with software while the power adaptor was still on, would be great help.

Static Sound When Connecting Macbook Pro to Thunderbolt Display

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