I've noticed some DVD's as listed being checkpoint and sensormatic. What are these features? Thanks.

It's different types of security devices. Sensormatic are little rectangular strips (usually black or white) (usually very thin, but some stores like Sam Goody use thicker ones). Some stores that use them are Best Buy and Virgin Megastore.

Checkpoint are square white stickers. Stores like Circuit City, Target, & Barnes & Noble use them.

A lot of manufacturers will make 3 different versions of a DVD with each one having a different type of secuirty device (none, sensormatic, or checkpoint).

Thanks. I wonder why some web sites list which security feature a DVD has. Is one version better than the other. Just curious. Thanks.

One is not better than other... It's just listed as two seperate catalog numbers so when retailers order said title it's packed with the correct security device for their stores.

To the consumer, this infomation doesn't matter -- it's the same DVD. When you see it listed on some sites they're lifting a title's info straight off a press release or a pre-book sheet which are sent out to buyers and news agencies/DVD sites alike.

This is why I love this place....you learn something new everyday.

my buddy just bought the sensormatic system for $400 the other day. pretty cool stuff. but yeah... it doesn't matter to the consumer. some dvd's just have both devices in the dvd so retailers don't have to worry about choosing,

I actually prefer to shop at stores that don't use any security devices or use sensormatic cuz after you buy the DVD, sensormatic tags are easy to pull off. However, with checkpoint, if the tag is put right on the case, those things are almost impossible to get off without using something such as goo gone; but a lot of times, they put it on another sheet of white paper in the case which you can just throw away.

Neways, I'm gonna cut & paste a reply I posted in this thread in the clubs forum that might shed some light on this topic.


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[I]Regarding different UPC barcodes on the same DVD]

This is to differentiate several things:
1. It could be to differentiate security devices: A) No security device, B) Sensormatic: Thin Black or Thick White rectangular strips (e.g. Best Buy or Sam Goody), C) Checkpoint: Rectangular white stickers (e.g. Circuit City)
2. It could be because of different languages on the disc (e.g. Star Wars Ep. I: The Phantom Menace had different versions where the extra language was French on one version and Spanish on another (the French version had a regular UPC while the Spanish version had a sticker on the DVD Case over the UPC).
3. It could signify different pressings.
4. Something extra is included in the package (e.g. BestBuy including a DVD-Rom, Watch, Wristband, Keychain, etc.)
5. Other reasons

I have noticed several things. Fox is famous for the different UPCS. As an example, if you use DVDProfiler, you'll see that Fox titles usually have multiple UPC codes.

However, Fox has gone to a different method now. They will use the same UPC, but above the UPC there will be 3 different #s: 00, 20, or 50 (I found this out through observation cuz when Star Wars Ep. II was $9.99 at Toys R' Us, I Price matched it at 2 different places along with my pre-order at Electronics Boutique; I've also noticed the two digit #s above the UPCs of One Hour Photo, Futurama Season One and several other Fox DVDs).
1. 00 = no security tags
2. 20 = Checkpoint security tags
3. 50 = Sensormatic security tags.

Buena Vista/Disney also does something similar. They have the same UPC but they often have a huge sticker on the shrinkwrap over the original UPC. The difference is the ISBN # which will end with different #s, either a 1 or a 2 (I discovered this when I bought the Osbournes Season One at both Best Buy & Circuit City...I forget which is which though).

Frankly, I actually liked different UPCS cuz it detered people from buying a DVD cheap one place and returning it to another store to get more store credit. People look really stupid when they try to return something to a store without a receipt and the CSR turns them away cuz the store's computer doesn't recognize the UPC.

Thanks. You guys leave no stone unturned.