The display mode on 7 segment displays can be either a number between 0 and 9 on one channel or independent segments on 7 on/off channels.

It would be useful to be able to control each of the 7 segments using a single number channel, which is possible on radial displays and bar displays, as it would free some channels on a composite signal.

Pros:

This would allow to use a single composite signal for multiple instrument panels instead of needing more composite signals coming from the same microcontroller.

Cons:

I don't think there are any cons.