Getting a VK2220 LCD working in 4-bit mode

I hooked up my LCD (VK2220 - uses a clone SED1278F chip) and was able to get it to work OK with the direct write and the LiquidCrystal library examples. I tried a couple of the 4bit samples and I can't get it to work. Is there a custom initialization sequence for this chip? Or should the standard routines work?

Eventually I need to get it working with a 3wire/595 setup.

Steve