Hi,

   I am having some trouble getting started with this project.

I think writing the code to map the serial data to a std LCD will

be the easy part.   What is giving me trouble is trying to make the  

decisions for other people:

1) Does the replacement display need to fit where the other one

was, even if that means having to de-solder the VFD

That would be good, anyway when the old display doesn't work it should go out of the machine...

2) If not, then how/where is the replacement display mounted

3) What would be a reasonable target for the cost of the display

Probably a small pcb will be needed to hold the conversion circuit.

I don't think price could be a big issue for somebody with defect display and not usable instrument. So whichever reasonable price you ask people in the need would pay...

4) Does color matter   Should the replacement be blue, for instance,

or could it be any color

Blue is nice and fashionable, but to me color is not important. It should be well readable with enough brightness and contrast. 

Probably if I had a Matrix 6 with a bad display it would be easier to  

make the decisions, since I would have a real need.   I have both a 6 and a 6R,

and both displays are fine.

I have looked at displays on the web several times.  Some graphic that

would allow emulating the original characters on the Matrix 6, and others

simple character-based displays.    It's not all that easy finding something  

that will fit where the existing VFD is, that is also backlit.    But I think

there are some out there.   I found one that looked nice, but it's from Taiwan

and they have no USA distribution.

   Anyway, I am still willing to follow through on this, just trying to get  

the requirements better defined.

     Bob