John and Dave

Thanks for suggestions. The idea of using white paper as
both reflector and diffuser is worth trying. It may be that
shining the LEDs down onto a reflector would look better
than shining up directly onto the back of the LCD

I think I'll have a look also at moving the driver IC to get
more room under the display so that light has more chance
to break up and spread, and I can be choosy about their
orientation. A reflector/diffuser will still be useful

Not especially keen on bending pins backwards on a big DIP
but I've a few scrap boards with never-going-to-be-used 40-
pin ICs that I can experiment with

The alternative is to draw the board with the more complicated
layout and use plenty of vias to get the IC on the other side of
the PCB without needing to bend pins. ISTR that vias don't add
greatly to the cost of the PCB although I've never had a board
made with them. I did ask at my board house a couple of years
ago and remember being not too shocked but the board I had
made need just a few through-holes that got connected with pins
and wire so I didn't worry about plated vias

Impossible to get a pricing at this time of year - can someone
give me an idea of what the addition of say 40-50 vias would
do to the cost of a board ? Obviously a hole is needed for each
but what about the plating ? I believe my board house always
starts with double-sided stock if that's relevant

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