System and method for enhancing image quality in a display system. A preferred embodiment comprises a variable light source capable of producing a light of specified intensity and color, an array of light modulators optically coupled to the variable light source, the array to modulate the light based upon image data to display images on a display plane, a controller coupled to the array, the controller to issue commands to control the array, and a light driver circuit coupled to the variable light source and the controller, the light driver circuit to provide a signal to the variable light source to specify the intensity of the light produced by the variable light source, when there is a change in a color of light being displayed or when a change in a weight of the image data to be displayed requires less light to be displayed than a current output level.