Why choose Communica for displays
Find the right display quickly without long import delays: Communica stocks a broad range of LCD, OLED, TFT and touchscreen modules from hobby-grade to embedded-ready, with local collection and VAT invoices for institutional purchasing. Our advantage is practical availability - pick up from Samrand, Pretoria CBD or Cape Town - and clear compatibility guidance so your prototype moves from breadboard to enclosure without surprise redesigns.
Common display types and where to use them
Choosing the right display starts with application: small character LCDs for instrumentation, IPS TFTs for operator interfaces, OLEDs for low-power wearable prototypes, and capacitive touch panels for kiosk projects. Below is a quick comparison to orient your decision.
| Type | Typical sizes | Strengths | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Character LCD (HD44780) | 16x2, 20x4 | Low-cost, simple | Measurement displays, simple UI |
| Graphic LCD / Monochrome | 128x64, 240x128 | Readable, low power | Portable instruments, wearables |
| TFT / IPS | 1.8"-7"+ | Full colour, wide viewing | HMI, Raspberry Pi projects |
| OLED | 0.66"-2.42" | High contrast, low power | Small displays, battery devices |
| Capacitive Touch | 3.5"-10"+ | Multi-touch, modern UI | Kiosks, tablets, control panels |
Key specification callouts (what to check)
- Interface: SPI, I2C, parallel RGB, HDMI - match to your MCU or SBC.
- Resolution & pixel density: determines clarity for text and UI elements.
- Backlight & brightness (cd/m2): needed for daylight visibility.
- Viewing angle & colour type: IPS recommended for accurate colours and wide angles.
- Power requirements: voltage, current draw, and sleep modes for battery projects.
- Touch type & controller: ensure driver support for your OS or microcontroller.
If you are prototyping on Raspberry Pi or Arduino, check our touch-ready TFTs and HDMI-capable panels in Collections to find modules that plug into common boards. Explore product families on our Shop by Category page for quick browsing.
Compatibility notes and quick wiring diagram
Match the interface and logic level first. Many microcontroller-friendly displays use 3.3V logic; use level shifters if your host runs at 5V.
SPI 2.8" TFT example (MCU to display):MCU SPI MOSI ----> MOSI (MOSI)MCU SPI SCLK ----> SCLK (SCLK)MCU GPIO (CS) ---> CSMCU GPIO (DC) ---> D/CMCU GPIO (RST)---> RESETBacklight +5V ----> LED+ (check driver)
For Raspberry Pi HDMI panels, plug-and-play is typical, but confirm kernel driver support for touch controllers. We list driver notes on many product pages in All Products so you can verify before purchase: See All Products.
