I am currently using the Sony 10HT with a 159" Da Lite Cosmopolitan Electrol HDTV format High Contrast screen.
I have set the image using the Video Essential Disc, Munsilation, and some personal tweaks of my own.
I generally run my 10HT in Cinema Black Mode, except perhaps on sunny days where I need the increased lumens due to ambient room light.
I do not have a problem with the "image" seemingly being to dark. Of course, if you were to use a "split" projection screen say using the DaLite HC on one half and say a DaLite Da-Mat on the other...you would percieve the difference easily between the two.
However, utilizing one screen your perceptions adjust accordingly to that particular image. I spent approximatily eight weeks deciding on my screen. I had recieved all the samples from Stewart and DaLite, and placed them in a small pattern on a sheet onto which I projected my 10HT. I systematically removed the samples that did not perform to my taste. I narrowed my selection to the High Contrast and the Da-Mat, both by DA-LITE. Then finally decided on the High Contrast. In all fairness, many of subjects of my study (neighbors, friends and family...all novices) and one electronics engineer/HT-phile did prefer the Da-Mat over the HC.
With all said and done....these same people, having seen the HC HDTV screen at 14 feet wide..said I did make right choice. This was proven when Da-Lite sent the incorrect screen the first time. It was the Da-Mat screen. I kept if for a week and had my subjects view some select scenes on it. When my HC screen arrived I simply removed the Da Mat unit and quickly put up the HC screen. The subjects were allowed to view the same material on the new HC screen. Hands down....the HC screen won.
I really enjoy the increased percieved blacks with my HC screen...it seems to add more vibrant tones to color images as well, such as oceans, skys and clothing. There is also a dramatic increase in the tonal qualities of flesh colors, close up of faces reveal more defined lines and wrinkles in the skin (HollowMan is a great disc to subjectivily view close ups on Kevin Bacons character face.)
I hope this helps,