What is the best way to control (7) 7-segment displays?

Steel

I am working on a project that has 7 7-segment Displays.

I am looking at cascading 7 74HC595 shift registers together?· I can do that, but...have any of you come across any easier ways?

Thanks.
Shaun

T&E Engineer

Look at the MAX7219 which is also sold by Paralax. It will control up to 64 LEDs or 8 7-segment displays.

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=603-00001

Thanks.

Jon Williams

And if you can't find the MAX7219 you can use two MC14489 chips (daisy-chained) to get up to 10 digits. Note that the MC14489 is not as flexible as the MAX7219, but it is a lot cheaper. See StampWorks 2 for a BS2 code example.

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Jon Williams
Applications Engineer, Parallax

Steel

Thanks Guys!