>> why the 44780 ? excuse the question but I to have a project needing 20x2
>> alphanumeric and am as yet totaly unbiased (ignorant) and am just
>
>Industry standard.  Actually hard to get anything else in
>Alpha-numeric displays by accident.
>
>Use 8 bit or 4 bit to drive and all the code samples on the
>list and web sites will work (with minor tweaks).
>

Just to reiterate what I said before, get every source you can for LCD
displays because there's a lot of confusion and inaccuracies.

I have two Hitachi 44780 datasheets at home with different/wrong
information.  I have found inconsistancies and errors in three "FAQs" out on
the Web.  I now have four code examples (including the MPC "C" Routines)
which have inconsistancies as well.  I currently have the Optrex databook on
order from Digi-Key.

I *think* I have a complete database on what these things do and how to
program them in different modes.

But, it took several hours at the kitchen table going through all these
sources trying to understand what was really going on.  The Hitachi
datasheets I felt were really inexcusable.

They are, however, pretty robust designs and while the four examples I have
are for four different devices (PIC, 6800, COP-8, and 8051) and are
radically different (one doesn't even reset the device, just allows the
natural power up into 8 bit mode), they do demonstrate how robust the 44780
is in terms of interfacing (although I haven't tested each program out).

Myke


Do you ever feel like an XT Clone caught in the Pentium Pro Zone?