How to Inspect Your Movie Screen
Using the white light from your projector can tell you where the Gummy Bears™
and cola spills are, but it won’t tell you how dirty the screen actually is.
To properly inspect a screen you need a bright flashlight. A Mag-Light or a
flashlight with a krypton bulb is best. And for best results make sure the
auditorium is darkened.
While standing in front of the screen, place the flashlight against the
screen and look down the beam of light. The light beam should be parallel to the
screen’s surface. All of the foreign substances will cast shadows and won’t
disappear the way they do when only the projector’s white light is used. This
is the only way to see the amount of lint that is on the screen and any surface
damage.
Also take a look at the masking. If dirt and lint is easily spotted, then it’s
a sure bet that the same amount of dirt and lint is up on your screen decreasing the amount of light reflected (measured in foot lamberts).
Cleaning the movie screen can bring the foot lamberts back up in most cases,
and it can help to extend the life of the movie screen.
