Japanese government investigating overheating PS Vita claims

[garyopa]

Sony says the issue is 'not product oriented'.



The japanese National Institute of Technology and Evaluation is looking into dozens of reports of the PS Vita port burning out during the recharging process.

It looks like a Japanese government agency have launched an investigation into alleged occurrences of the PS Vita handheld burning up during recharge.

However, Sony said the issue is not fault of the hardware but instead because of improper charging...

The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation is investigating 31 cases of overheating regarding the portable, 23 of which happened in Japan. No injuries have been reported in those cases, but in each one the overheating damaged the PS Vita power cable connection slot.

Sony Computer Entertainment Japan reportedly blamed the incidents on liquids or other objects in the port while the systems were charging. Because the company doesn't believe the hardware is faulty, it will not be issuing a recall, and those with damaged systems will need to pay for their own repairs.

A Sony representative confirmed the damaged system reports, saying, "The cases were caused by partial short-circuit on the multi-use port of PS Vita and USB cable due to small particles or liquid attached to it. We believe this is not [a] product oriented issue. The short-circuit damaged the Multi-use port, resulting in being unable to boot the system."

Eight of those cases took place across North America, the United Kingdom and Australia.

So -for now- if that happens to you, it will be your fault. However, the investigation is ongoing...

NEWS SOURCE #1: PS Vita overheating prompts Japanese investigation (via) GameSpot
NEWS SOURCE #2: Investigation into some PS Vita units burning during charge (via) CVG

Our thanks to 'Gauss' for this news item!

[wewii]

The government?

Since when is it the governments jobs to test faulty electronics in the private sector?

[billysastard]

The government?

Since when is it the governments jobs to test faulty electronics in the private sector?

its their job in any country if there is a possibility that a company is selling a product which COULD be dangerous, if they find no problem then nothing will happen, if however they do find a fault then they can force a recall and / or fines on the company involved.

[Xenogears V]

Maybe there is a thing called "Joule effect"?. ahahhahahahahahha

[Diztructor]

its their job in any country if there is a possibility that a company is selling a product which COULD be dangerous, if they find no problem then nothing will happen, if however they do find a fault then they can force a recall and / or fines on the company involved.

its likely that the vita may get warm when connected to a plug charging, my iphone does, and its likely to get warmer if using while charging.

i wouldnt say theyre over heating unless people have them sat on something that will gather any possible heat which would make it feel warmer.

[billysastard]

its likely that the vita may get warm when connected to a plug charging, my iphone does, and its likely to get warmer if using while charging.

i wouldnt say theyre over heating unless people have them sat on something that will gather any possible heat which would make it feel warmer.

i agree with you, i only pointed out why the state would be involved.

the number seems to be far too small to be a design fault, although i guess an independant look at if it really is as sony calim a user created problem (water or other damage, so sony should charge to fix) or if its just a tiny production error that only affects one in 100k (in which case sony should replace the units for free) or a genuine design issue in which case a recall is needed, but as i say with such a tiny number i'm inclined to think that in this case sony may have it right.

[trancehead]

i cant use my vita while it's charging, the screen does all types of weird crap. has done since day one.

[Diztructor]

i cant use my vita while it's charging, the screen does all types of weird crap. has done since day one.

wierd crap??? well if i was you i would have taken it back to the store.

playing the vita while charging shouldnt have any affect while playing games.

[Nocuddle]

i cant use my vita while it's charging, the screen does all types of weird crap. has done since day one.

its a qaulity s0ny to you. it does garble screen.