Just finished it after a few late nights of frustration and sleeplessness!
First of all the keypad is polled, so the polarity swaps over. Had to replace my nice neat tiny SMD transistors with big leaded ones configured to switch in both directions with a common base, used BC547s and they did the trick.
Then had loads of problems getting the software compiler (MPLAB) working, got that fixed just by tweaking various things til it decided it would stop being awkward and compile.
I then somehow managed to damage my first PCB with my cricket bat of a soldering iron so had to build another at work using a decent iron.
Eventually though it all worked out, printed off some christmassy images, made the .amv file, and built up profiled cardboard to make it all sandwich together without bits rattling. I then thoroughly attacked it with a hot glue gun to make damn well sure nothing was going anywhere.
Oh and even managed to get it out of chinese mode
Was it worth it? Probably not but I'm sad and get enjoyment out of these things 8-) and my girlfriend is now the (sort of) proud owner of the only video christmas card in existence.
If anyone wants to have a go at making the second one in existence let me know and I'll give you some hints and tips, software etc and even PCB layout if you need it.
Bye for now,
Paul