You know how there are certain gadgets that you just don’t think you’ll ever need until someone shows you theirs? And then you catch yourself going, “hmm…that’s pretty cool!” Well, you’ll find that tonight’s review falls into that category.

Think about all the times you’ve bought a DVD, and while unwrapping the clear outer plastic you wondered to yourself why, in addition to the outer wrapper, there had to be a heavy plastic sticker across the top and front of the DVD. I’ve gotten in a hurry before and accidentally broken fingernails while trying to peel back these heavy stickers; they can be a real pain. Although I am guessing that the stickers are there as some sort of theft deterrent, as a paying customer I find them simply obnoxious.

Lori Powers, the inventor behind the CD Stripper which I reviewed ages ago, has done it again. In my previous review, I lamented the fact that most of the music I purchase anymore is digital and therefore downloaded. To quote myself, the CD Stripper was “convenient, easy and safe to use. I just wish that it had been available years ago, when I was at the height of my CD buying. I really need one of these that works with DVDs…”

And here it is…Yay! Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

Composed of nearly translucent plastic, the DVD Stripper measures approximately 8.75″ tall x 6.25″ wide x 1.25″ thick. You know someone that isn’t mechanically inclined? Someone with arthritis? Or someone with younger kids that always want to “help”? Do those same people like to watch DVDs? Then they are going to think this is the neatest thing since sliced bread.

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

Yeah, I can hear you now…

“What am I gonna do with a slab of blue plastic?”

Well check this out: You slide the DVD into the DVD Stripper just like I’m doing in this picture…

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

…keep sliding it in all the way until the DVD bumps into the back of the case…

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

…and then pull the DVD back out. Click the picture below to see the new perforations on the front seal of the DVD. Those were perforated through the plastic wrapper still surrounding the DVD case.

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

The top of the DVD case has been perfectly sliced all the way back; the plastic wrapper easily peels off, but the best part is that the DVD case now easily opens. If there is a seal on the bottom of the DVD, then the DVD should be flipped, inserted, removed, and then the bottom seal will also be sliced. The perforations on the front of the case quickly pull apart, and there is no longer any resistance on the top of the DVD. Yes, I realize I was a bit redundant with my “easily” and “quickly” usage, but there is a good reason for that – it’s because using the DVD Stripper really is.

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

How does this work?

Built into the DVD Stripper’s spine is a 3.5″ long metal edge of perforating teeth. Even though this is a sharp edge, remember that it is set more than 6″ back. Most kids won’t be able to get their little hands in this far, and even the most curious adult probably won’t bother. Okay, I admit that I did… Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

Here’s another shot of the perforating teeth…

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

This is the sharp edge that slices the top of the DVD case open. While this cutting edge is set near the inside of the DVD Stripper, and technically where small fingers could get to it, they won’t be able to activate it. The blade is kept in a retracted position until its two-part lever mechanism is activated by the insertion of a DVD, which presses the lever by the blade as well as the lever in the far inside corner of the device. Only when both levers have been pressed will the sharp blade descend. When the DVD is inserted and then pulled back from the Stripper, the blade neatly slices through the plastic wrap and both sealed edges.

Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

I think it is safe to say that everyone who owns a DVD player hates fooling with the wrappers and stickers that must be removed in order to watch new DVDs. The DVD Stripper makes opening these DVDs as easy as…slicing bread. It’s so easy that anyone can do it, and talking about it will reduce you to using cliches. Gear Diary The DVD Stripper Review photo

The DVD Stripper is available directly from the manufacturer’s website.
MSRP: $11.99 for the DVD Stripper, or you can get the CD & DVD Rippers in a set for $19.99
What I Like: Easy to use; safe for kids over 7 to use; perfect gift for anyone; buy one already!
What Needs Improvement: Nothing – it does what it says & does it well

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About Judie Lipsett Stanford

View all posts by Judie Lipsett Stanford
I have had a fascination with all types of gadgets and gizmos since I was a child, beginning with the toy robot that my grandmother gave my brother - which I promptly "relieved him of" in 1973. I have long been captivated by devices that did anything interesting or served a unique purpose - however silly. I can't tell you how everything works – but I am known world-wide for using a product until I have a full understanding of what it does, what its limitations are, and if it excels in any given area...or not.
  • http://www.geardiary.com Allen Hong

    This gadget looks really good. But, I think it does not look like it will help 100% if the DVD box comes with stickers on all three opening sides. I bought some DVD’s and yes, the factory put those stickers on all the sides. The top, the bottom, and side where you pry with your fingers to open the box.

  • http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett Hughes

    In that case, you just flip the DVD over and do the bottom. :-)

  • http://www.geardiary.com Allen Hong

    Ok, What about the side… you know the side that has that finger slot for opening the DVD case? I got DVD boxes with stickers on that part too.

  • http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett Hughes
  • http://www.geardiary.com Allen Hong

    Oh, ok… then this gadget is perfection!

  • http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett Hughes

    Sold! ;-) haha

  • Lex

    Just as long as ‘DVD Stripper’ doesn’t appear on the credit card bill. My wife would be hunting me down for the explanation.

  • http://www.geardiary.com Judie Lipsett Hughes

    Lex, it is funny you should mention that…

    The Google block ads on the left of the review are contextual, so I halfway expected something that would “need monitoring” to pop up. ;-)



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