Hello Newbie > 1) Can I get all this integrated into a board ? Certainly > 2) If I do buy an LCD, do the controllers usually handle C/basic > code or assembly only? The LCD deals only with electrical signals. It doesn't know how those signals are generated, so you can use any code you like > What exactly goes into telling an LCD what to display ? Does > the manufacturer give specific codes in assembler or C for the > device ? Not as such. As before, you need only interface with the LCD electrically, not in code. AFAIK all off-the-shelf alpha-numeric (16x2, 20x4 etc) LCDs are based primarily on the ASCII character set (usually > 127 are Japanese) with 8 RAM-based redefinable characters. Character ROMs are also in some graphic or mixed- mode LCDs Basically you send the LCD the ASCII code and it displays the character at the current or specified cursor location. The only things the LCD responds to are the correct signals and timing > Also, is this the same case with the flash reader? Do most flash > readers/writers that takes in say assembly ? Have no experience with flash (have used a lot of other memory types) and the principle is always the same. Send the memory an address and data. You may have to jump through a couple more hoops with a flash card but it's still easy enough Pretty much like the LCD, except you can see what you just "stored" > How exactly does do these devices all come together with the > microcontroller? Well, that's where you need to sit down with some datasheets, and pin-out diagrams. You can save a lot of time by deciding what you're going to use before building anything. In most cases it doesn't hurt to initially over-spec the micro so you have some wiggle room for I/O, speed or functions > 3) What will be the biggest hurdle with this device? Getting started, and that wasn't meant to be a platitude > 4) Any good resources on the net on learning how to build this > thing? Heaps. What you need first is a plan of action, including actual devices, power supply requirements, amount of data, speed etc > I would really appreciate everyone's feedback on this If you ask the right questions you'll get plenty > I understand my knowledge level is atrocious No no. It's nascent -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist