Gain factor (luminance factor)

When buying a new screen, one thing in particular must be taken into account: the so-called gain factor. This is the reflectance value of a screen. It is also referred to as the luminance factor. We reveal what the gain factor of a screen is all about and how high the gain factor should ideally be for which applications.

What is the gain factor?

A gain factor, often referred to as a luminance factor in German-speaking countries, evaluates the radiation behavior of a screen. It is usually measured in the center of the screen. Depending on the direction, however, different high contrasts result. This refers to both the direction or angle from which the light rays hit the screen and the direction from which they are emitted. A conventional sheet of paper, for example, has a gain factor of 1.0. The incident light is distributed evenly in all directions. The basic rule is: the steeper the angle, the lower the gain factor.

The gain factor for home cinema screens

When buying a screen for home cinema, the angle specifications should always be taken into account in addition to the gain factor. A gain factor value between 1.0 and 1.2 is considered ideal here. For outdoor home cinemas, however, we recommend a much higher value of at least 1.5, as the screen is often used in daylight conditions.

Other applications

In event technology, room and daylight play a particularly important role. So-called high-gain screens are best suited for events. To ensure that all viewers can see well even in large rooms, the viewing angle of these screens is particularly low, while the gain factor is particularly high. As a rule, the value here is around 2.0.

In contrast to high-gain, there are also so-called low-gain linens. These are black screens that primarily ensure an improvement of the black level. The gain factor is usually a value of 0.6.

ComPeri event technology

When it comes to conference room technology, we at ComPeri are your number one contact in the greater Munich area. If required, we can offer you customized communication solutions to fundamentally improve your workday. We are also active for you in the premium home entertainment sector. If you are interested in our wide range of services in the field of conference and media technology, please feel free to contact us at any time. See for yourself!