A video display apparatus generates luminance information for individual frames of a video signal from histograms of the luminance component of the video signal, and classifies the content of the video signal on the basis of this information. Color saturation information is also generated from color saturation histograms, and scene changes are detected. Video correction parameters and display control parameters are derived from the content classification and color saturation information. The video signal is corrected according to the video correction parameters, and displayed according to the display control parameters. Display characteristics suitable for the video content are thereby obtained. The parameters are changed when a scene change is detected, so that the viewer is not disturbed by the change in video display characteristics.