Sold!

Thanks for your guidance Tom.

So I can't buy this: http://www.matrixorbital.com/pages/product_view.asp?CatID=2&ProductID=6
use RS232 for data communication
then use one of these:
http://www.matrixorbital.temp.wehostwebsites.com/pix/USB_power_cable_200.jpg
to provide the power?

*EDIT, sorry if my continous questions are ...

Great thanks for the quick response!

So just to confirm, I can order the following (SKU's):
VFD2041
BLU204
4FTSERIAL
USB Power

and everything will work just fine?

I've been checking out lots of different lcds/vfds over the past few days with a view to adding one to my latest MCE/HTPC mini-itx project. Due to the small nature of the PC I will need to have an external display. I've settled on a VFD2041 due to the fact my mini-itx MB will only have 2 USB ports ...