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instructables: Hacking DVD/Videogame Physical Security

instructables.com — "I started this project when i my Dad bought dvd's from a Hollywood Video that was about an hour away, brought them home, and found that the cashier had left in the security bar that keeps you from opening the box. After tearing apart one box, utterly destroying it, i figured out a better way."

Who dugg this? Made popular Dec 17, 2006

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31 Comments

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  • xrisnothing, on 10/12/2007, -7/+37You're just retarded.
  • darkdaedra, on 10/12/2007, -0/+12I used to work at Blockbuster and I can tell you that this method, while pretty much equivalent to the stuff we have behind the counter is not the fastest, best way to steal.

    The best thieves ALWAYS used a razor down the edge and just took the DVD out. This is a good tutorial for people who get home with their DVD only to find out that the employee responsible for taking out the security device forgot to. Now they can get they're DVD without destroying the case.
  • taitacakes, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15I read the instructables comment and was amazed. Since when were there people with morals on the internet?

    But honestly, my whole family is constantly returning clothing/dvds/cds because tags have been left on. I don't see how so many people have a problem with people teaching others how to remove these tags in their own home.

    And yes, my mother does work in retail loss prevention.
  • freff, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Regardless of just how ethical this tutorial was or was not, I'm glad it was dugg. I've never seen this site, and there's some fun looking stuff on it. Bookmarked.
  • chedabob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Its just way easier to get a "magic bag" and then rip the case open when you get home.
  • kronix2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I've never seen that kind of security here in the UK. They're usually just wrapped in transparent plastic, with an RFID tag stuck to the back.

    In stores like Tesco, all DVDs are in perspex boxes which have to be unlocked by the the cashier.
  • mrsexzzmaleman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I'm in America and I've seen it done both ways. More recently though, I've seen the boxes being emptied and then they give it to you at the counter. Maybe at some stores in bigger cities they leave them in the box to save time.
  • JAppi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I've never seen those things in canada. Usually every dvd has one of those sensormatic security tags. You have to physically open the dvd to get it out.
  • treyd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I had that same thing happen to me from my local rental shop. Diamond-blade saw + DVD case = ***** load of fun!
  • estvir, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Here in Australia basically all video games and 'new' movies are empty but really old ones (Weekly ones) usually have the DVD in the case.

    @chedabob

    It really doesn't take that long unless it's the rare occasion the DVD is in the wrong place.
  • istatic, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I found that out yesterday ;)
  • Nigran, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Never seen those locks here in Sweden. Here the usual practice is that all the boxes out in the store are empty and all the Cd's/DVD's are behind the counter. Seems to be a more simple solution than to lock every box.
  • sishgupta, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This should work at blockbuster. At least in my area anyway.

    but in my area when they steal dvd's they just cut the thin edge of the binding with an exacto knife, then they put the box back and employees dont notice for days.
  • Nato592, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Blockbuster has left the security bar in the case multiple times so I just break the case open when they do that.
  • blatch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Regardless of the ethical implications this article is useful. Dugg.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I opened a blockbuster one with a mini screwdriver, and left no marks
  • cyrusthevirus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1While they do have some sort of physical security, I don't believe I've seen locks like these in the US (or maybe it's just Oklahoma...). I've only seen the style where the mechanism is all external. The clerk takes a device with teeth (usually attached either to their keychain or the counter via cable), sticks it in the corresponding holes in the security mechanism, and then either bends or slides the device/mechamism to release it.

    Alas, I cannot speak as an authority on this as I haven't been inside a Blockbuster, Hollywood, or Hastings in well over a year (God bless FileList.org). A rather interesting/informative tutorial nonetheless...
  • mattson, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Reminds me of buying cassettes as kid, the cashiers would hardly ever remove the security holders back then.
  • ll0ll0ll0, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1you could just bend the tines on a fork and stick it in the holes to release the security device...
  • mPingu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1A lot of ASDA stores use this method. It's called Red Tag.
    http://www.amaray.com/retail.asp
  • chedabob, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Its not a very efficent way of doing things. The clerk has to go and find the dvd in all the drawers, so if the shop is busy, queues get huuuuuuge.

    Much easier, and better, to put them in the clear boxes with the RFID tags.
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1BTW most previewsly viewed DVDs at hollywood videos are not locked. FYI i worked there.
  • kmb1794, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Ahem...Apres Vous...worst movie ever!
  • stonedage, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0very helpful. I have come home several time to find the "lock" still on!
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1A few months after Gamestop started doing the disc in a box behind the counter thing, I stopped shopping there. Why? Because three times in a row when I went to buy something, the clerk couldn't find it. Finally one guy admitted to me that some of the employees borrow the discs and take them home. That would explain why one "new" game I bought there had scratches on the disc.

    If I'm going to pay $30-$60 for a game, I expect the product to be handled better than that.
  • chedabob, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Because if its that easy to do in your own home, why couldn't you do it anywhere? Just open the box in the store, put the disc in your pocket, then put the box back..
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2Did I say something wrong ?
  • ffffffrabbit, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0Crappy Movie
  • zedomax, on 10/12/2007, -10/+5wow, this is great when the people at the video store forget to take the security thingee out...
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -17/+6Normally i wouldnt condone a tecnique for stealing, but this is f*Cking Sweet!
  • inactive, on 10/12/2007, -40/+4This same thing happened to me when I bought The Matrix Revolutions on release day from HMV. I ripped the case open, but they had to replace the whole DVD/case for me as it was their fault for not removing it.

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