How accurate are movie theater projectors? (1 Viewer)

[Dave H]

I'm asking this because it seems that the last few movies I have seen (at a couple different, "nice" theaters) seem to lack true black levels. The picture was almost like having the "brightness level" up a bit too high. Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[Allan Jayne]

The film itself is not always perfectly opaque in its "black" areas so some light comes through from the projection lamp and makes those areas gray. Also light from the bright areas on the screen may reflect about the auditorium and land back on the screen.
So many of us HT'ers have calibrated our systems so meticulously that when we go to the theater, every small flaw stands out.
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