a multi - tone display matrix display device including a matrix display panel having a matrix having plural x and y direction signal lines lying at right angles to each other , intersecting points on the matrix being pixels of an image , an x direction driving section for sequentially scanning x direction signal lines to provide image signals , a y direction driving section for driving the y direction signal lines in synchronism with the scanning of the x direction signal lines to sequentially provide select signals to the y direction signal lines , an a - d converter section for converting an analog signal into a digital signal , a voltage generating section for generating signals at plural voltage levels , and a selector section for selecting an output signal from the voltage generating section based on the output from a - d converter section and providing to output to the x direction driving section as an image signal .