Display device and display device drive method

A method for driving a display device including an image display panel whose display is controlled on the basis of an image signal and a backlight which includes a plurality of light sources and which lights the image display panel from behind, the method comprising:

• calculating, by a display control section, on the basis of the image signal a required luminance value of the backlight for an area obtained by dividing a display surface of the image display panel;
• calculating, by the display control section, a tentative lighting level of each of the plurality of light sources on the basis of luminance distribution information for the backlight stored in advance and the required luminance value;
• setting, by the display control section, a lighting level of a first light source whose tentative lighting level exceeds a determined upper limit value to the upper limit value and calculating and determining, by the display control section, a lighting level of a second light source whose tentative lighting level does not exceed the upper limit value on the basis of the lighting level of the first light source, the luminance distribution information, and the required luminance value;
• and
• controlling, by the display control section, the backlight by the lighting levels.