Hello Mind,

Mind>>Serial LCD is only a little more complicated
Data, clock, Vdd, Vss, command select pin (command/data mode), chip select pin (so multiple chips can share the SPI interface).<<

I have used both SERIAL, 4 bit and 8 bit buss LCD's. Complicated? I have designed my own Serial controlled LCD's, used on my Instrument panel of my Experiemental. <g>. Granted, there are many things I do not know. But I can only give you generic data on a controller that you said was compatible to the HD44780. How that data is fed to the LCD is up to the person who designed it.

Ralph I see responded to you... He is top notch...Same with STeve, Melanie, Bruce, and Darrel. They work with it on a daily basis for their work.

Mind>>So, yes, contrast is done in software. The manual says exactly what I quoted in my previous post about which bits to send to turn it on.

And I wish I did have a scope... Time to schmoose some of my EE friends who do have scopes !<<

That can help out a lot! It can get rid of the "Gotcha" and things that SHOULD be working... and you find out they are not working.

Dwayne