>So for example if you have English text with >28 letters you can store it in 5 bits. Oh, you mean like Baudot ... In Brents case he could then have the Baudot to ASCII translation done in the second chip that controls the LCD ... -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist