Adding brightness control to a 3.5” LCD?

Hi, I have a nomad I am doing a screen upgrade on and I was going to copy the guide put up by Torben in this thread to get use of the thumbwheel.

http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/proper-brightness-control-for-sega-nomad-screen-mod.50868/

The problem is the LCD driver board has been changed since then. (despite looking identical in the ebay photos - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201638311089?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT) The serial on the original LCD is LQ035NC111 the new one is LQ035NC121. Having a look over the datasheets for both the pinout to the LCD is the same, it is just the supporting circuitry has been changed, I have posted a photo below.



Now I am not the best at electronics so I was wondering if anyone could offer some input. The highlighted area is a 662k voltage regulator, which seems to be in place of the old 3.3k resistor. The Vout of the chip is connected to pins 41/42 on the lcd listed as VCC Digital power. Would removing the voltage regulator and connecting a thumbwheel in its place make this work or am I being stupid? Given my lack of experience with the above that is a real possibility!

Just as a heads up to anyone ordering this screen it does have the AV1 when first powered on so that is a little annoying.

Thanks,

Gordon.