Abstract: A scanning backlight (70) for a display, the backlight having a number of sections separately illuminated, a controller (20) to control the illuminating of the different sections at different times, and to control relative luminance levels of the different sections, and the backlight having a sensor (60) to detect a spectrum of the lighting, the controller being arranged to control a color of the illuminations of the different sections according to the detected spectrum. This combination can enable the color output to be maintained accurately without needing an external spectrometer, and control the uniformity of color in the different sections. This control can enable the specifications of any parts used to illuminate the sections to be relaxed, such as temperature and aging specifications, to keep the costs lower.

Abstract: To improve the quality of light emitted by a light source in a display apparatus (10) comprising a light source (20) and a light modulator (30), integral means (60) for measuring the colour characteristics of the light emitted from the light source (20) are provided, and controlling means (80) for controlling the light source and/or the light modulator in response to the measured colour characteristics of the light emitted from the light source (20).