Abstract: The column electrodes of the display device are each formed by an alignment of conducting areas which are electrically connected to each other and which are spaced from each other, while disposed between two successive conducting areas of each electrode, in alignment with said conducting areas is a conducting area of an adjoining electrode. n+1 different reference signals are produced such that the effective value of the difference between two different signals is sufficient to generate an electro-optical effect. The first n signals of said signals are each applied to a line electrode. A signal selected from the above-mentioned n+1 signals is applied to each column electrode said selection being made in dependence on the value of a control signal.