[RoadTripper]

I went to Tower Records today to spend hard earned cash on some tunes. And at the checkout counter I asked the guy with the spiked hair and spiked tongue to show me the trick to opening a new CD. I usually spend about 15 minutes trying to tear off the safety seal on top that shuts the whole thing together.

He said, "Sure, boss. Here's how its done". And in 5 seconds he had it open, tape ripped off, and put back together.

So when I got home I tried it myself. But, he had done it so fast, I really didn't get the whole procedure. So I struggled a bit. It probably took me about 3 minutes to get it. The next one I tried, however, only 30 seconds. The last one - 10 seconds. What a scoop I got from my pal at Tower!

Ya wanna' know the secret? All you have to do is open the CD from the bottom - it's not sealed down there- and while you do it you pry the little tab out of its hole. Now, the hinge of the CD case is the annoying tape, which you will find comes apart really easily with the case opened up.

Try it, you'll like it.

[Vtech2000]

Wow!  What a great little tip!  It is little things like this that add more enjoyment to the hobby.  Thank you for taking the time to share it.

[mca]

Now if there was just an easy way to open a DVD. They put that security tape on all three sides and it takes forever to get off and you end up mangling the plastic cover in the process  

[Vtech2000]

Yeah, I know, unfortunately, another one of the necessary evils in this world...but to keep from damaging the plastic cover, it might be better to slit the security tape where the cover halves meet and leave it there, rather than troubling with trying to remove it.

[Vtech2000]

I also use a commercially available CD opener.  While we were showing at 2005 T.H.E. Show, a rep with http://www.audioexcellenceaz.com came in our demo room and was handing these out - they had their web address marked on them, and used them like a business card (which I thought was a cool idea).  It is a really clever but simple little device, which uses a small spring-loaded cutting blade which is automatically detracted as the gizmo is slid along the edges of a CD case.  It actually works quite well.  Trying to find out what the thing is called, the one I have is otherwise only marked with a patent number...and if you're really interested, here is all the patent info:

http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6276059.WKU.&OS=PN/6276059&RS=PN/6276059

I don't know where you can buy one (I checked Music Direct)...maybe your local retail music store?

Any one else know a source for these?

[Gordy]

I also use a commercially available CD opener.  While we were showing at 2005 T.H.E. Show, a rep with http://www.audioexcellenceaz.com came in our demo room and was handing these out - they had their web address marked on them, and used them like a business card (which I thought was a cool idea).  It is a really clever but simple little device, which uses a small spring-loaded cutting blade which is automatically detracted as the gizmo is slid along the edges of a CD case.  It actually works quite well. ...

Check your local supermarket, they sell similar gadgets called coupon clippers

[Vtech2000]

You're correct, the concept is very similar, but this device has two protruding guides spaced about the thickness of a CD case, with the detractable blade centered within.  As the device is slid along the edge of the CD case, these guides keep the blade perfectly centered.  Using it is a very safe, quick and simple process.

[Gordy]

Ah, I see!    I'm still using an X-acto knife, the hinge slot as my guide, followed by popping the bottom hinge, flip and twist!  My favorite part of the hinge system is that the tape comes away cleanly, no glue is left behind...

[Vtech2000]

This CD opener jig cuts through tape and all

[bubba966]

Now if there was just an easy way to open a DVD. They put that security tape on all three sides and it takes forever to get off and you end up mangling the plastic cover in the process  

Yeah that's a pain in the ass. I hated when they went from one piece of tape to the three that seem to get used all of the time now.

Best way to get it off is slice the tape right down the seam of the case. Open the case and peel the tape off from the cut you just made. Should be no mangling of the case then as the flap of tape that's exposed after you slice it is easy to grab hold of.

I use a box knife or razor blade to slice the tape. Though anything that's quite sharp will do.