hi,

the PNP xtor are A733.
the other resistors at the base of the PNP xtor are 2.2k and 10k (hope that works)

No, it is not suitable. 2SA733 may source up to 150mA only. Now, assume you have 32 columns, each column may sink 35mA. 35x32 ~= 1,1A.

I may suggest something like TIP125 + 1k0 to LS138 output.

i got 74LS595 for the rows as well as BC339 xtors as buffers. i couldn't find 74LS datasheet but that of 74HC i saw indicated it can not handle up to that current. (i thought u said it can replace both the LS164 and the buffer?

No, I said that TPIC6B595 may be used for complex replacing. 74LS595 may sink only 24mA max. TPIC6B595 is power variant of LS595 and may sink up to 150mA continuous.


Regards,
Oleg