Blocking cell phone reception in a Movie theatre.

[IcePickFreak]

Or you could just start showing disrespectful people the door and the problem fixes itself. But no, we need to take the passive agressive, high tech approach to fix things that could be fixed with a simple "Hey, the movies starting, please turn that off".

While I agree it does seem like it should be that simple, it's still a bit disruptive to have to have theater employees come in and boot them out (hopefully without issue) when it's common sense that messing around with your phone during a movie is disruptive in the first place. It's irritating even when people are texting if you're sitting behind them and get the screen glow in a dark theater. iirc it says not to use your cellphone right before the movie on the big feckin screen everyone is there to look at and that doesn't seem to work.

That said, I go to the movie theater maybe once every 5 years at best so it doesn't bother me. I have no issue waiting a few months so I can watch it at home, problem solved.

 

[caspur]

GSM and CDMA are different. Does it do both?

Also, AT&T 3g is different from Tmobile 3g.

If the frequency range is within the jammer's specs it will block it. Most block (actually disrupt) multiple frequencies.

 

[vi edit]

I honestly can't remember really being bothered by cell phones at a movie theater. Loud candy, crying babies, talking toddlers, and adults talking have been far more common. And even that stuff hasn't been much of an issue at the theater I go to. I guess it's just a nice theater (in a very upscale shopping center). There are some in "less desirable" parts of town that I'm sure have issues.

Pretty much my experience as well. Cell phones are really the least of my problems. The most miserable experience I've had recently was watching True Grit. I had some strung out looking chain smokers sit down next to me with the most obnoxiously overpowering stench of stale cigarette smoke just lingering around them. I was nauseated by the end of the movie they smelled so freaking horrible. Can't jam that!

 

[Blackjack200]

Or you could just start showing disrespectful people the door and the problem fixes itself. But no, we need to take the passive agressive, high tech approach to fix things that could be fixed with a simple "Hey, the movies starting, please turn that off".

It's not passive aggressive if you say up front: 'Cell phones do not work inside the theatres, we will refund your ticket if this is a problem'. I don't want to have to deal with ushers running up and down the aisles to argue with patrons who deny that they were the ones using a phone.

 

[vi edit]

Wow this really sounds like the smoking in public debate all over again.

If a couple cell phones *really* disrupt your viewing experience that bad...then don't go. That's a simple fix too.

 

[sdifox]

I think this should be local theatre decision, as long as they post a sign at cashier.

"We block cellphones, if you do not like this, don't buy a ticket."

 

[Veliko]

The emergency argument is completely ridiculous. Theatres weren't death traps before 1998 and they aren't now either.

 

[Blackjack200]

Wow this really sounds like the smoking in public debate all over again.

If a couple cell phones *really* disrupt your viewing experience that bad...then don't go. That's a simple fix too.

Yes, that's fair. And people can also say 'if you really need to be reachable every moment of every day... then don't go.'

At least for now the theatres seem to be in the former camp, since I don't think very many of them have jammers or farraday cages. FWIW, I really don't go to the movies that much, and when I do, cell phones don't seem to be an issue. Other people may have other experiences though, and if given the choice between a blocked signal and ushers running around every time an lcd screen lit up, I'd choose the the blocked signal.

 

[spidey07]

Wow this really sounds like the smoking in public debate all over again.

If a couple cell phones *really* disrupt your viewing experience that bad...then don't go. That's a simple fix too.

I have a fundamental constitutional RIGHT to not be bothered while in the theater. My right to enjoy the film shall not be infringed.

 

[HOOfan 1]

I have a fundamental constitutional RIGHT to not be bothered while in the theater. My right to enjoy the film shall not be infringed.

I think that is Ammendment π (pi)

 

[lupi]

I remember an episode of criminal minds not too long back where they mentioned cell phone jammers now being illegal (for private ownership). Guess I should have bought one before.

 

[Blackjack200]

I remember an episode of criminal minds not too long back where they mentioned cell phone jammers now being illegal (for private ownership). Guess I should have bought one before.

Doesn't seem like it would be that hard to build one...

 

[Blackjack200]

I think that is Ammendment π (pi)

Falls under 'general welfare'

 

[PingSpike]

Or you could just start showing disrespectful people the door and the problem fixes itself. But no, we need to take the passive agressive, high tech approach to fix things that could be fixed with a simple "Hey, the movies starting, please turn that off".

LOL...it says that at the start of the movie. People aren't forgetting, they're just assholes.

 

[vi edit]

LOL...it says that at the start of the movie. People aren't forgetting, they're just assholes.

I'm saying actually tapping somebody on the shoulder and asking them to turn it off. But most people are too above that or chickenshit to actually confront another human being.

 

[HOOfan 1]

I'm saying actually tapping somebody on the shoulder and asking them to turn it off. But most people are too above that or chickenshit to actually confront another human being.

I do it every day. At least once a week it causes a disruption worse than the cell phone did.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Movie theaters in the US will not install jammers because the penalty for being caught far outweighs putting up with cell phones.

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Public_Notices/DA-05-1776A1.html

The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the FCC rules prohibit the manufacture, importation, marketing, sale or operation of these devices within the United States (See Section 302(b) of the Communications Act, 47 USC § 302a(b) and Section 2.803(a) of the FCC's rules, 47 CFR § 2.803(a)).

Parties violating the provisions of the Communications Act and/or FCC rules mentioned above may be subject to the penalties set forth in 47 USC §§ 501-510. Monetary forfeitures for a first offense can be as much as $11,000 a day for each violation and could subject the offender to criminal prosecution. Equipment may also be seized by the United States Marshals and forfeited to the U.S. Government.

Not gonna happen.

 

[MotF Bane]

Yup. Some of the theaters here have a no tolerance policy. No talking, no cell phones. If somebody is annoying you, raise your hand and an usher will come over to see what the problem is. People generally get one warning, but then they're kicked out. I've never seen anyone be annoying at this theater before. I love it

That'd be nice.

 

[JTsyo]

You leave your phone with the usher and they give you a buzzer. If a call come through they buzz you and you can go to the front desk to call back.

 

[Blackjack200]

I do it every day. At least once a week it causes a disruption worse than the cell phone did.

I feel for you. My brother worked at a library and had to do this all the time too. Half the time they would just ignore him and keep talking on the phone.

 

[Broheim]

I do it every day. At least once a week it causes a disruption worse than the cell phone did.

made me think of this http://theoatmeal.com/story/water_buffalo

and I think this is the paint some of you have mentioned http://emsectechnologies.com/press_releases/press1.php
I'd be cool with theatres coating their walls with this stuff.

 

[Macamus Prime]

When someone gets all loud and shit, allow the movie security cops to drive the claw end of the hammer into the offender's skull - only IF and WHEN they confirm the call was unnecessary.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Or you could just start showing disrespectful people the door and the problem fixes itself. But no, we need to take the passive agressive, high tech approach to fix things that could be fixed with a simple "Hey, the movies starting, please turn that off".

That works for shit. Good luck getting a couple of high school or college age ushers to get a group of teenagers-20 somethings that are being dickheads to STFU and just leave. Plus, a lot of times its not them talking on the phone either, its half the people in the theater are constantly texting.

If you can't focus on just the movie, don't go to the theater. That is simple respect, but people can't be trusted to adhere to it.

Blocking the signals fixes the problem for the theater and keeps them from any liability over bullshit (have you ever seen someone kicked out of a theater, every time I have they make a huge fuss and start yelling for the cops and shit, which end up getting called just to make them leave).

I do believe theaters should put up a sign saying they're blocking phones, so that if people have a problem with it they can just not go.

 

[ViperXX]

Just for the record we can't even get these jammers installed in the prison I work in. It's against Federal law or some crap.

 

[The_Dude8]

can you just buy the portable cell jammer, and bring it with you to the theater, and just turn it on when the movie start.

I wonder does the jammer make a high pitch noise when it's on.