A method and apparatus to control a digital projector. After receiving a turn-on request, the temperature associated with the light source is sensed and compared to a predetermined threshold. If the temperature is below the threshold, then the digital projector's light source is turned on. Otherwise, if the temperature is not below the threshold, the digital projector's cooling device is turned on and the turning on of the light source is delayed until the temperature falls below the threshold. After receiving a turn-off request, the cooling device is turned off coincident with the light source and without regard to the light-source temperature.