I want to build a LED ROM (a diode-ROM, but using LEDs).
The LEDs will be driven from the outputs of a 74HC138 or similar. They will drop 1.6 - 1.7 V (red).
The ROM will have eight words of memory, each word being 12 bits wide (because that's what I need).
Each bit will be an LED socket. The presence of an LED indicates either a 0 or a 1 (depending on pull-up/down), and the absence indicates the opposite value.
When a word is accessed, the value's LEDs will light.
Is this feasible with 74HC levels and driving characteristics, without further components?
Should I pull-up or pull-down?
or
(If there is no difference, I will pull up, as that will light the accessed 1s, which seems more intuitive.)