Image display apparatus and image display method

An image display apparatus and method provided for visually improving a sense of contrast by adjusting contrast and a light source to have a correlation. A characteristics detection part detects MAX, MIN, and APL (average) of an input signal. A control data generation part calculates Gain for amplifying a difference between MAX and MIN to a width of a dynamic range and Offset indicating the DC level to be shifted so that the input video signal amplified by Gain falls within the output dynamic range of a DC level adjustment part. A signal amplitude adjustment part amplifies the input video signal with reference to APL and in accordance with Gain. The DC level adjustment part shifts the DC level of the amplified input video signal in accordance with a value of Offset. A light source control part controls a light source so that a visual brightness level on a screen is equal to a brightness level of the input video signal.