Hello!
Hi, I have a timer project in mind which will have 5 digits in total. Now I'm thinking what type
of display would be easier to interface. The digit size is not a concern.
If your concern is only interface, then a character LCD is a good solution.
I don't know what your timer will be used for, but if you need some good readability, then
you may indeed consider 7 segments (LED and LCD version exist, for instance this one:
http://www.vle.com/uploads/product/prod_pdf/f1183996138.pdf).
If you want to interface this, then you have to draw a lot of wires, use a micro controller
with 6 ports available or use some external logic for multiplex purposes.
That said, 6 ports available means a quite big device, which may be a little bit too
much for a plain timer. So there is also a graphic LCD solution.
Advantages of a graphic LCD:
- Usually works with serial interface (SPI, I2C. I would recommend SPI), therefore you can
use it by soldering about 5 or 6 wires, power included.
- Allows you to use any font you like (there are myriads of free fonts on the net).
- A GLCD may be extremely thin (about 2mm)
- This is a matter of taste, but character LCDs are quite ugly and look like early 80s design.
A graphic LCD looks better (although this depends on what you display and how you do it).
Dora.