The theater could simply be built with shielding in the walls that would not allow cell phone frequencies to pass through. Truing the theater into a dead spot and making cell phones useless inside. This way even those that don't have the decency to turn off their phones off during the movie can't disturb the rest of us.
-- EvilDoer, Jul 31 2003

discussed at length. an example. http://www.halfbake...20phone_20Spotlight
cannot find one with your shielding though. [po, Oct 04 2004]

Phone blocker ban http://news.bbc.co....nt/film/2991451.stm
[hazel, Oct 04 2004]

Theatre Sniper http://www.halfbake...ea/Theatre_20sniper
Yours Truly, [thumbwax, Oct 04 2004]

This was implemented in Ireland but banned on the basis of human rights or something [link]
-- hazel, Jul 31 2003


I knew there would be issues with the FCC, or similar agency if an actual blocker was installed. But I don't think they could do a thing if the theater was made impenetrable to cell phone calls. All it would take is some crafty building materials. A simple chicken wire like screen with the proper spacing in between the walls to disrupt incoming and outgoing signals.
-- EvilDoer, Jul 31 2003


What about doctors who need to get emergency pages? And those of us who turn the damn thing off? Don't punish everyone because of a minority of miscreants.
-- snarfyguy, Jul 31 2003


snarfy, if its turned off - its not a problem. its not going to blow up or something :)
-- po, Jul 31 2003


Actually I think we should just punish everyone. And I mean *reallly* punish them...
-- DeathNinja, Jul 31 2003


everyone includes you DN. do you have a problem?
-- po, Jul 31 2003


Have you tested this? I've seen people happily using cell phones within what look like full metal box elevators. Presumably there are still enough openings that some signal gets through. As there would almost certainly be in a cinema.
-- DrCurry, Jul 31 2003


Thumbwax has the right idea.
-- sartep, Jul 31 2003


I hate people who take calls in the theater etc. If you listen in its is always trivial stuff they discuss. Until a decade or two ago humanity did very well without being reachable in the theater. I see no reason why there shouldn't be a few places left today that are cell phone free.
If someone is waiting for such an extremely important call that it would be worth to disturb the (paid) entertainment of a hundred people around, then that person should probably reschedule the movie.
-- kbecker, Jul 31 2003


I hate it so much that I did something about it. If there were a way to encourage people to use the technology (or be required to use it in certain places)it would solve several issues all at once. 1.) It wouldn't matter if the phone was even left on, 2.) NO calls in - only out when you want it or need it 3.) Would work for cell, pager, wireless PDA, rfid enabled pass cards, etc. I finally have it tested by the US intelligence community and it works well enough for them to now use it. Check out www.e2xgear.com to get an idea of what I mean. This particular site was actually put together for teens because of the problems with cells in schools. I am steadily coming up with alot of practical uses for this and any ideas or comments would be welcomed! jschweitzer@e2xgear.com Thanks! Jeffrey Schweitzer
-- jschweitzer, Apr 29 2004


Bone for not checking description carefully enough for silly mistakes before posting
-- juanmanandez, Jun 09 2004



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