Flat panel displays, particularly plasma display panels (PDP's) have a linear response to the luminance in an applied video signal. However, all video and graphic data sources assume that the information will be displayed on a CRT-like device which has a non-linear response. Without compensation, the video signal applied to the PDP appears pale with little color saturation. In addition, some PDP's utilize a 10-bit digital input while digital video signal processing is carried out using 8 bits. Hence, a circuit is provided for gamma correcting and for converting the 8-bit video signal into a 10-bit output signal for application to the PDP. The circuit takes into consideration that human vision has a non-linear perceptual response to luminance in the gamma correction and 8-bit to 10-bit conversion of the video signal.

A method and apparatus for correcting the color of an image signal. Data in a first color space such as RGB is converted (502) to primary/secondary/neutral color space by setting neutral color word equal to the minimum of the input values, the primary color word equal to the maximum of the input values minus the neutral color word, and the secondary color word equal to the median of the input values minus the neutral color word. A set of three coefficients is selected (506) for each of the primary color word, the secondary color word, and the neutral color word. The primary, secondary, and neutral color words are then multiplied by the coefficients by a matrix multiplier (504) to yield color-corrected data in the first color space.

An overlay video processing system provides an early start to pixel processing for the next overlay scan line. The overlay processor begins processing the next overlay scan line while still displaying the current scan line. A FIFO buffer is used to provide the overlay video data to the display. When the buffer provides a predetermined amount of data to the current overlay scan line, the buffer begins to load the data for the next overlay scan line. In one embodiment, the buffer may begin loading data for the next overlay scan line when approximately half the current overlay scan line is displayed.

In an image display device for receiving and displaying image data, color converter converts the image data on the basis of conversion characteristics data stored in a conversion characteristics storage. The conversion characteristics designation means including means for designating the hue of the colors outputs the conversion characteristics designation data, and conversion characteristics setting means calculates the conversion characteristics data on the basis of the conversion characteristics designation data, and sets the conversion characteristics data in the conversion characteristics storage. The color converter comprises a calculation term generator for receiving the first image data, and outputting calculation terms which are effective just for the specific hues; and a matrix calculator performing matrix calculation using the calculation terms effective just for the specific hues. The user can adjust just the hue of the desired color. Real-time processing of moving pictures can be achieved without placing a heavy load on a CPU. The image after the adjustment can be displayed on a real-time basis.

A printing apparatus for printing the content information contained in the digital broadcast received by an STB, in which flexible printing is achieved efficiently at a low cost. The digital broadcast is received by an STB 30 and demonstrated on a display device 31 as the contents information comprehended in the ddb is printed by a printer 32. The contents information comprehended in the digital broadcast is converted by a contents information conversion unit 68 into contents suited for printing.