Blackest black from a projector?

The blackest black from a projector can of course not be darker than the ambient light on the screen because the projector can’t remove light. But can it be as dark as ambient light? Do projectors have a backlight similar to an LCD display with some light always leaking through, or do they use LEDs or other technology to create only the desired light?

I’m thinking of using a projector for facade lighting on a scale model, and don’t want a faint rectangle displaying around the area I’m projecting on. I only want to add light to select areas and nothing else.

For context, this is what I want to achieve: Google Search

I’m stupid. I can just use a paper cutout. I’ve thought of this for days and realize it minutes after posting :woman_facepalming:

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Most consumer projectors use LCD , which in turn use places polarisation to block out light from the bulbs. This does mean that they are never able to fully block out the light even when “black”.

Other projectors vary in terms of their ability to go “black” but none can achieve no light.

Beyond the screen itself the black also becomes less black from ambient light on top of this.

Even the ambient light from a black screen will typically be enough to reflect light back onto the screen and reduce black level further.

None of this stops projection mapping from working, even if a perfect black would be nicer.

As you say, as mask made of paper (something less flammable might be safer, depending on the bulb you are using)

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