Techniques for operating a display system in a wide range of ambient light conditions are provided. An intensity of ambient light on a display panel may be detected. The display panel may be illuminated by light sources in addition to the ambient light. An individual light source may be individually settable to an individual light output level. If it is determined that the luminance level of the ambient light is above a minimum ambient luminance threshold, an ambient black level may be calculated using the intensity of ambient light. Light output levels of one or more of the light sources may be elevated to first light output levels. Here, the one or more light sources may be designated to illuminate one or more dark portions of an image. The first light output levels may create a new black level equaling the determined ambient black level.