>                                 "Data length 8 bit
>                                 Stop bit         1 bit
>                                 Parity   even
>                                 Baudrate         4800 bps"
>
> I'm unsure whether this means I have to send 8 bits of data plus a 9th
> bit of parity, or 7 bits of data plus an 8th bit of parity?  Any
> thoughts?

Unfortunately it depends on the person writing the spec. I have seen this
meaning 7 bit + parity, and also on other equipment 8 bit + parity. However
as a first attempt I would try it as 8 bit + parity. As an initial attempt
rather than generate parity in the PIC I would suggest you set it to 9 bit
mode, and leave the 9th bit clear, and send a rotating character set, i.e.
all characters from 0x20 to 0x7e, and see if the characters display
(remember set up like this every second character has correct parity), and
see if it attempts to notify you of incorrect parity. If this does not work,
or comes up with framing errors, then change the code to 8 bit data, and run
it again, and see what the results are - same note about every second
character having correct parity.

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