A projector which includes a light source, liquid crystal light valves, a dimming mechanism, an illumination optical system, a control circuit which determines an input light amount which is caused to be input to the liquid crystal light valve on the basis of an input image signal, outputs an output image signal which is decompressed according to the input light amount, and generates a first control signal which designates a first dimming rate of a high pressure mercury lamp and a second control signal which designates a second dimming rate of the dimming mechanism based on the input light amount, an illumination driving circuit which drives the light source on the basis of the first control signal, and a douser driving circuit which drives the douser on the basis of the second control signal.