8bit LCDout vs 4bit LCDout

[keithdoxey]

Hi All,

Would I be correct in assuming the following about running LCDout in 8 bit mode

1. The only penalty is the use of an extra 4 PIC pins

2. Each character would be output in half the time as PBP is writing a single byte rather than 2 nibbles.

Is there anything else to be aware of other than the need to
DEFINE LCD_BITS 8

Until now all my LCD work has been done using 4bit mode but I need to allocate a whole port for writing to a crosspoint chip which is parallel rather than serial or I2C. I will be sharing this port with the LCD so it seems logical to use all 8 bits as they are available to me. The Crosspoint and LCD have individual enable lines so shared data isnt a problem. Will probably be using PortD on an 18F4520. Project originally started with a 16F877 but has "grown"

Am I missing anything obvious ?

Regards

[Dave]

keithdoxey, No that just about sum's it up. If I have the pins available during the design of a project I always use 8 bit mode as it is twice as fast.

Dave Purola,
N8NTA

[keithdoxey]

Thanks Dave, the extra speed will be a welcome bonus as this will be one VERY busy PIC