A virtual or augmented reality display system that controls power inputs to the display system as a function of image data. Image data itself is made of a plurality of image data frames, each with constituent color components of, and depth planes for displaying on, rendered content. Light sources or spatial light modulators to relay illumination from the light sources may receive signals from a display controlled to adjust a power setting to the light source or spatial light modulator based on control information embedded in an image data frame.