A drive system with small power loss in power conversion is provided. The
drive system has an AC conversion device for converting commercial AC
power from a commercial AC power supply and a DC conversion device. An AC
power supply path for supplying power to discharge tubes, and a DC power
supply path for supplying power to an image processing circuit or the
like, are provided independently. The AC conversion device converts
commercial AC power into converted AC power and gives the converted AC
power to an AC drive device directly. Consequently, it is possible to
reduce conversion steps for generating converted AC power and to reduce
power loss that occurs in a conversion process. In particular, when power
consumption of the discharge tubes is large, it is possible to reduce
power loss in an entire liquid crystal display apparatus effectively by
providing the AC conversion device.