A system for compensating image contour by modulating a scanning velocity in accordance with a video signal is disclosed, in which a mean current dissipated in a driving power amplifier is detected to control a gain of an amplifier in a preceding stage for suppressing the increase of power dissipation in the power amplifier when a video signal having many noises is received. The preceding stage amplifier is provided with a saturation characteristic to enhance the effect of contour compensation at a small amplitude signal and eliminate over compensation of image contour at a large amplitude signal. The combination of the saturation characteristic and the gain control further enhances the effect of suppression of power dissipation.