LCD controller or LCD module?

Related FAQ:

-         What chips do you recommend to display two lines of 16-character per line LCD display?

-         What LCD display do your LCD controllers drive?

For those who want to add a LCD display in their systems, there are two ways to make it:

(1)   LCD module:

It is often called LCM. A LCD module is actually a sub-system that integrates LCD glass, LCD controller, character generator, and user interface. Its parallel or serial interface provides user a convenient way to display usually alphanumeric characters on LCD glass.  For those customers who have never dealt with LCD display or only have small volume of production, LCM is more suitable than LCD controller. For this kind of inquiries, Holtek has no LCD module available for them.

(2)   LCD controller:

LCD controllers, on the other hand, is just a semiconductor chip that provides an interface to LCD glass and a parallel / serial interface to system. Users need to have knowledge for choosing LCD glasses and LCD controllers, and how to handle signals of COM and SEGMENTS. However, LCD controllers provide a great flexibility of driving different type of LCD glasses including icon type, alphanumeric type and mixed type. LCD controller also is the most inexpensive solution in mass production. For customers still even want to reduce the material cost a little, Holtek also has several varieties of LCD type micro-controllers available. Please refer to Holtek LCD type MCU, A/D with LCD type MCU.

Reference: Holtek RAM mapping LCD controllers
LCD manufacturer: Varitronix