An operating device control section (4) controls an output current of a DC-DC converter (1), and also controls a commutation frequency of a commutator (2) that converts a direct current output from the DC-DC converter into an alternating current. The operating device control section operates a discharge lamp, at the start of lamp operation, with a predetermined voltage value lower than a rated voltage and a first target current value higher than a rated current, then, at an end of a predetermined high frequency start period (T1) elapsed from the start of lamp operation, controls the commutator to switch from a commutation frequency higher than that during a steady lamp operation to a commutation frequency during the steady lamp operation, and then, after a voltage applied to the discharge lamp increases and reaches a voltage not lower than a predetermined threshold voltage (Vth) which is not higher than the rated voltage, controls the DC-DC converter to switch from the first target current value to a second target current value which is not higher than the rated current to operate the discharge lamp. A temperature of a lamp electrode can be increased quickly and sufficiently to reduce a time required to increase the lamp illuminance, thereby reducing a time required to cause video to be viewable.