Method and apparatus for automatically adjusting white balance

Abstract

An automatic white balance adjusting method in which color difference signals (E.sub.R -E.sub.Y) and (E.sub.B -E.sub.Y) are respectively integrated on the entire screen and the gains of red and blue signals are controlled such that the average integration values can coincide with predetermined reference levels respectively. In the method, in integrating the color difference signals (E.sub.R -E.sub.Y) and (E.sub.B -E.sub.Y), the integration of the color difference signal that includes a chromatic color is prohibited. Whether or not the color difference signal includes the chromatic color is checked by whether at least one of a plurality of color signals including a color signal (E.sub.R +E.sub.B -2E.sub.Y), obtained by addition of the above-mentioned color difference signals, exceeds its associated one of a plurality of threshold levels which are set correspondingly to the respective color signals.