I know with cars, Congress passed an act saying that 3rd party components could not void the warranty of the car if they were properly installed. For example, a dealership cannot refuse to cover a broken transmission just because you installed 3rd party exhaust system.

I don't know if there's similar legislation for other warranties.

I could understand something like the Nyko Intercooler voiding a consoles warranty (since it has been shown it can do damage), but are you saying that if I use so much as a third party video cable or CONTROLLER, then my warranty is void? What do they think, that if your consoles fail, it is because of third party accessories, and that their stuff could NEVER damage your console? This is like the "homebrew on PSP voids the warranty" debate. Why can't we have a company that genuinely cares aout the customer, and not about gouging money from us?

Sorry for the double post but I thought the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act only covered cars. Here is the related section of the act 15 U.S.C. §2302 c

(c) Prohibition on conditions for written or implied warranty; waiver by Commission
No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if-
(1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and
(2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest.
The Commission shall identify in the Federal Register, and permit public comment on, all applications for waiver of the prohibition of this subsection, and shall publish in the Federal Register its disposition of any such application, including the reasons therefor.

I don't see how anyone can say that a 3rd party video cable or a 3rd party controller will cause your PS3 to overheat.

Are we really that surprised? Sony's in no position to lose even more money by honoring warranties.

Video cables don't seem to me to fall under any of the enumerated categories, though admittedly it says "including, but not limited to" those categories.

Also, it says "YOU ASSUME ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF THIRD PARTY PRODUCTS". To me, that is absolutely not the same as saying "if one of those touches your PS3, you've just immediately voided your warranty!".

As I read it, basically they're saying that if you plug in some off-brand controller or power adapter into your PS3 and it gets fried, they won't be held responsible, which I don't really blame them for saying. But it's one thing to say they won't be responsible if the 3rd party device causes the problem (ie: you have assumed the risks and liabilities for using it and now paid the price) and another thing entirely to say that just because the 3rd party cable was in proximity that they aren't responsible for *any* problem with your PS3.

For a video cable, there really aren't "risks and liabilities" to be assumed for using a 3rd party version. A component video cable is pretty much a component video cable for these purposes. They should have a hard time arguing that using a 3rd party video cable busted your PS3. It's a ridiculous claim, and I don't think the warranty as stated supports it.

Simmer down. No one said that they have voided a warranty because someone used a 3rd party controller. If I were a company I would put the same thing in my warranty. Why should Sony be responsible for problems resulting from 3rd party products? Until they actually screw someone over on this, I would put the harsh words on hold. The Nyco Intercooler for Xbox 360 is exactly why I would put this language in my warranty.

They have screwed someone over on this. The first link after Megan's post goes to a form where a guy was told by Sony that they wouldn't replace his defective unit unless he paid $150 because he used 3rd party video cables.

This is no different than the warranty on Wii or Xbox...

We really need a little more investigation here folks. Actually, any investigation would be a start.

As was already shown over at Gizmodo, both the Wii and the 360 have similar wording. So, if the complaint is that ALL game systems have this issue, then that makes sense.

Yes, we have someone on a chat room complaining that Sony was giving him a hard time about his third party cables. Has anyone verified with Sony that this is an issue?

It seems like we have a bit more research on this subject before we can say for certain that Sony is the human-flesh-eating-a-holes that we all want them to be.

Regarding ElPresidente408's post of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act:

The pivotal section that would affect us is: "No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty)."

I read this to mean that Sony cannot make their warranty contingent on using Sony products, unless they (Sony) provide the product without charge. Which means using any controller besides the Sixaxis (which, arguably, is provided "without charge") could void the warranty, but using a third-party HDMI or component video cable could NOT void the warranty, as Sony did not include either of those with the PS3.

This is an article that does not need commenting from. It's important for mabye a PS3 fan community, it's irrelevant for PS3 bashers to comment on.

Wouldn't surprise me, but I'm still not buying it. Then again, no need to advertise what I use on my PS3. Anyways, whoever messes with the power supply on a $600 toy should not be concerned about warranty.

-Ken
http://ken-hanscom.blogspot.com

I wonder what the policy is on usb keyboards and mice. because They claim support for those

I must be in Crazytown, because reading this, it sounds like even hooking it up to a non-Sony TV voids the warranty...

If you read the except from Sony's warranty literally, using a third-party TV would void the warranty. Clearly this is wrong. Similarly, a prohibition on using third-party cables, or third-party controllers, would seem to violate Magnuson-Moss. It would be like a vacuum cleaner company saying that you had to use their bags in their vacuum cleaners or your warranty would be void. This is clearly prohibited by the MMWA.

So, if, for example, the dvd-drive on your PS3 breaks, and you happened to using a third-party controller, Sony can't void your warranty--regardless of what it says in the warranty. However, if your use of a third-party product directly caused the damage to your PS3, Sony would likley not be liable for the damage. For example, if you use a third-party power adapter that blows out your PS3, Sony would be within their rights to at least argue that the damage is not their responsiblity. And while the power adapter vendor might well be liable, I imagine that getting them to buy you a new PS3 would be an arduous affair (read, call your lawyer).

Of course being legally right doesn't do you any good when the customer service rep. tells you they won't repair your device because you used Radio Shack cables. If this is really happening, I would recommend (1) asking to speak with their supervisor immediately, who will likely be able to resolve your issue (remember to get thier names, positions, contact info., etc.), or (2) if they ask, do not disclose your use of third-party products. If it's not related to the reason your PS3, then it isn't relevant to your warranty claim, and they don't need to know.

There are several very good reasons why this clause is present and that Sony might not honour a warranty claim because a 3rd party video cable was used.

The underlying premise is that Sony have no way to influence the manufacture of such things, and therefore are at the mercy of potentially unscrupulous companies or even just uneducated people.

For example, what if the video cable was made by a user, and had a short in it that fried the video port? Or if they simply didn't use the right kind of cable for the electrical capacity, it melted, and took the PS3 socket with it?

What if some company mistakenly labelled as a PS3 cable, something entirely different but with the right plugs?

Sony can't possibly anticipate the things that might happen if you don't use their stuff. With the best will in the world, if you don't have this clause, you'll end up fixing machines that didn't break because of anything you did or didn't do.

It's bad enough that Sony have to fix millions of batteries that *were* their fault, they don't need to fix stuff that *isn't* as well...

Regarding Keyboards and Mice....

As long as they meet USB or Bluetooth standards you are fine...

This fellow was using an aftermarket solution to hook up to the Sony Multi AV which is a PROPRIETARY connection that Sony hasn't licensed anyone to make peripherals for...

This isn't about using peripherals that have standards based connections it is about this guy trying to save $5 and screwing up the Multi AV connection. By including a USB or Bluetooth designated controller they by default allow for third party items that have met those standards (ie...two USB products that have the USB logo will work together as they are built to work together)

Here is the part of the ruling from Magnuson-Moss that makes it possible for Sony to void the warranty.

(1) The warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product

Because Sony uses a proprietary connecter for all video cables they can say that the 3rd party cables were not made correctly and thus the source of the problem in the first place and that they only cables that will make the unit work property are their licensed product.

Also because they do provide a video cable in the box free of charge they can include video adaptor as the items that would void the warranty and (c) would not apply either.

(c) would only apply to anything that is not included in the box or free of charge that is required for the system to work property and because they give you a power adaptor, controller and video cable in the box they can say that if you use anything but these free items or other items licensed by them it will void the warranty.

At least this is how I have come to understand both the license agreement and the ruling for Magnuson-Moss. This would also apply to all other console manufacturers.

I can see Sony wanting to uphold this more then other because they are selling each PS3 at a loss and only really making money on the sales of licensed products like games and other optional add on items like better video cables and such. This combined with the rather poor sales of PS3s to begin with has put Sony in the position where they need to be concerned about all expenses related to the service and support of the console and they are going to limit their liability at every opportunity.

I must be in Crazytown, because reading this, it sounds like even hooking it up to a non-Sony TV voids the warranty...

I was thinking the same thing doctor.

However, the solution to this seems rather simple, just never admit to using 3rd party products.

Oh, and regarding This is an article that does not need commenting from. It's important for mabye a PS3 fan community, it's irrelevant for PS3 bashers to comment on. If it were only posted on a PS3 fan community, we'd all be missing out on continued Sony evil. It's always good to remind everyone why they should not buy Sony products, even if the reason only affects the 10 people that actually bought PS3s.

Xbox 360's warranty has the same wording:

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/systemsetup/xbox360/reso...

This Limited Warranty shall not apply and Microsoft has no liability under this Limited Warranty if the Xbox Product:

* is used with products not sold or licensed by Microsoft (including, but not limited to, non-licensed games and game enhancement devices, adaptors and power supply sources) or which are otherwise incompatible;