Abstract: A projection display apparatus includes a scrambler for making a distribution of light intensity uniform and a Fresnel lens positioned between the scrambler and a lamp, for converting the light incident from the lamp into light parallel to the optical axis of the scrambler. The angle of divergence of the light emerging from the scrambler is reduced by means of the Fresnel lens. Accordingly, the angle of divergence of the light incident to the LCD panel also becomes small. Thus, the light incident to the surface of each pixel in the LCD panel increases, with a result that contrast increases and resolution heightens to improve picture quality. Also, as the angle of divergence of the light at the incident side of the LCD panel decreases, the aperture of the projection lens positioned in front of the LCD panel also decreases which enables the whole optical system to be compact and lowers production cost.