Re: HD44780 LCD cable length
If you do have problems then I would just use a serial BACKPACK and use RS232.
Re: HD44780 LCD cable length
This has been covered a couple of times over the years, see (and read) here for starters:
http://www.picbasic.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15989
I suppose it might depend on a lot of variables, like type of cable, output drive capability, HD44780 compatability (some are more picky than others) and so on so it's probably best to do some experients and find out.
/Henrik.