Embodiments of the present invention set forth methods and systems for driving display devices. In one embodiment, a first set of image data to be displayed on a display panel is stored. During a first time period, a reset signal is asserted to set the display panel associated with a common panel voltage to a predictable state. Subsequent to the first time period, a control signal is asserted to load the first set of image data for a first subframe within a frame on the display panel, wherein this first set of image data is further adjusted by a first adjustable reference voltage. A designated light for the display panel is turned on to display the first set of image data in parallel with the storing of a second set of image data for a subframe within the frame to be displayed.