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General Category => Amstrad CPC hardware => Topic started by: Piotr on 22:42, 23 March 14

Title: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 22:42, 23 March 14
I almost finish  it. New PCB, old components in THT for easier self assembly. In this week i send  prototype PCB  to factory.   Is easier made it from buy somewhere  :D

(http://images54.fotosik.pl/298/d2946ecd898ca45dmed.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl)](http://images54.fotosik.pl/298/d2946ecd898ca45dmed.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)

Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Munchausen on 07:29, 24 March 14
This is awesome! Will there be some spare boards available?


Did you know that Bryce is designing the DDI-2 with some extra features? Looks about the same size http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/the-ddi-2/

Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Bryce on 09:11, 24 March 14
Very neat layout. Don't forget to add the keyway (slit) on the edge connector.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 13:09, 24 March 14
Thanks,  :D edge slot is for connector, like in my previous floppy for ZX Spectrum.

(http://images55.fotosik.pl/298/b8460ed071601cb8med.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl)](http://images55.fotosik.pl/298/b8460ed071601cb8med.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: The Last Bandit on 13:41, 24 March 14
Looks nice !!


What did you produce the 3D renders with ? Kicad, Eagle ??
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 13:44, 24 March 14
Diptrace. Very easy and friendly software but free edition have limit up to 500 points.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: gerald on 14:15, 24 March 14
Quote from: Piotr on 13:09, 24 March 14
Thanks,  :D edge slot is for connector, like in my previous floppy for ZX Spectrum.

(http://images55.fotosik.pl/298/b8460ed071601cb8med.jpg)
(http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl)
Do you plan to use a edge connector to connect your clone to the CPC ?
If so you're missing a path through connector or you will have a real clone of the DDI1 with its major default  ;)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: KaosOverride on 15:25, 24 March 14
Those Zx interfaces are +3 compatible or you have make another kind (Opus, Disciple..)??
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 16:27, 24 March 14
on Photo is D+ clone. Yop ,edge connector 2x25 pin. Nothing is missing . PCB is  not fully routed. Echh not show unifinished project again  ;)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: KaosOverride on 18:47, 24 March 14
A fact about the CPC interface is that is almost the same as the ZX+3 one :) when you finish the CPC, you may consider porting it to the ZX so would be a direct plugin for +2A/B with no ROM need
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 19:00, 24 March 14
Well , but ZX +3 have FDC controller on board so why made externial floppy interface  :o
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: MacDeath on 23:13, 24 March 14
QuoteWell , but ZX +3 have FDC controller on board so why made externial floppy interface
as said before : for those +2/A/B that may not... do they have FDC ?
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 20:07, 25 March 14
OK, 99,5 done  ;D Board is in PCB factory.
(http://images51.fotosik.pl/299/357bd4347f6d8707med.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 20:44, 25 March 14
May be holes on corners should allow to fix it into a box or something like ?
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 21:06, 25 March 14
It is only prototype . I draw this board from poor quality schematic so probably is few mistakes. When i run prototype  i redesign board for enclosure , thru board on top for connect other extensions and few other things.   Something like divide plus what i also made.
(http://images50.fotosik.pl/1912/620865101f3281a4m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=620865101f3281a4)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 00:10, 26 March 14
If you write "99.5% done, board into the PCB factory"... I may understand that is finished.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: KaosOverride on 01:05, 26 March 14
Quote from: MacDeath on 23:13, 24 March 14
as said before : for those +2/A/B that may not... do they have FDC ?
On the +2A/B manual was promised an oficial interface like the CPC's DDI, but never released...

On the "back 2 the +3" project, fitting a +3 cloned fdc controller to the +2A enabled floppy features on the ROM. Also a SED replacement was developed for this proyect with 6 ttl chips
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 20:03, 17 May 14
Ok, prototype running ;) Now i fix some mistakes on PCB and send it to production.

DDI clone, amstrad cpc 464 floppy interface, first run - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xknD3dWYYmw&feature=youtu.be)

And yes, Batman forever running on my 464 (ram upgrade)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Token on 21:38, 17 May 14
Very nice work Piotr. This is something I'll definitely buy.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: dragon on 21:49, 17 May 14
Ohh, I always like buy a ddi from my poor 464.

So now we have the posibiliy to buy a ddi clone and ram expansion very cool|

Maybe in the future, you could join forces and integrate the 2 things on one motherboard a 464 upgrade kitt.

Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 22:53, 17 May 14
Quote from: Piotr on 20:03, 17 May 14Ok, prototype running ;)
Great work!!!  8)
If you plane to reduce the electronic into a CPLD, I can give you the MX4 format size.
So, your board should be used by 464 users who already own it. :)
PM me if you are interested. It's free.  :P



Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 10:11, 18 May 14
Ok, something like this. Clone in enclosure. Estimated price 55 euro, be aviable in june.


(http://images52.fotosik.pl/360/f11063f614438f46m.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=f11063f614438f46)](http://images52.fotosik.pl/360/f11063f614438f46m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=f11063f614438f46)

(http://images53.fotosik.pl/361/3b22750314f185ffm.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=3b22750314f185ff)](http://images53.fotosik.pl/361/3b22750314f185ffm.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=3b22750314f185ff)

(http://images53.fotosik.pl/361/50495ca603687dd4m.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=50495ca603687dd4)](http://images53.fotosik.pl/361/50495ca603687dd4m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=50495ca603687dd4)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: steve on 18:02, 18 May 14
If you were to turn the box 90 degrees, you could fit the drive as well, if you used a larger box.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Gryzor on 21:19, 18 May 14
Hm, that'd be interesting!
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 17:22, 26 May 14
He .he

(http://images53.fotosik.pl/370/4edd24a631439a86m.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=4edd24a631439a86)](http://images53.fotosik.pl/370/4edd24a631439a86m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=4edd24a631439a86)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: MacDeath on 17:45, 26 May 14
so by now there wil be no excuzes to still use the 464 specs... everyone will go for the CPC6576 games and demos ?
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Gryzor on 17:59, 26 May 14
Well... this would be superb if it wasn't brutally defiled by those speccy stripes at the corner!!!
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 18:10, 26 May 14
I'm sorry but the logo speccy.pl page stays where it is. Always I put them on my devices.  ;D
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Gryzor on 18:13, 26 May 14
Fair enough, just make sure you don't breathe, speak in whispers and don't move much when loading from it, in true Speccy fashion. Oh, and it wouldn't surprise me if the CPC blew up altogether.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 18:22, 26 May 14
Well,sorry ,my mistake. It  is  my prototype, in production version will be norma,l 2x25 pins ,safe socket. Or socket for TOTO interface, like people wish. Don't worry.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: MacDeath on 20:12, 26 May 14
good. This motherX4 really has to become the new standard... very usefull to have such a rack.

Mothers with huge rack ? I think I like MILFs.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Bryce on 08:28, 28 May 14
No self-respecting CPC user would connect something to their CPC with a Spectrum Logo!! Great device otherwise though.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 11:47, 03 June 14
Ok, it is. It is no spectrum logo it is my homepage logo.


(http://images51.fotosik.pl/377/d2e450804b8faa64m.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=d2e450804b8faa64)](http://images51.fotosik.pl/377/d2e450804b8faa64m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=d2e450804b8faa64)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: beaker on 19:17, 03 June 14
Hi might have missed it but is it HxC compatible?
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 19:33, 03 June 14
Yes,  DDI 1 clone, floppy drive interface for amstrad 464, testing prototype - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmKD13ZwZS0)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 18:12, 05 June 14
Final view, AMSDos and Parados switch, ABBA switch, reset button, case, power led, nice sticker :D

(http://images52.fotosik.pl/380/87ffd72fbd6b22e5m.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=87ffd72fbd6b22e5)](http://images52.fotosik.pl/380/87ffd72fbd6b22e5m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=87ffd72fbd6b22e5)

(http://images53.fotosik.pl/381/21e13d1b8c149fa9m.jpg) (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/%5BURL=http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=21e13d1b8c149fa9)](http://images53.fotosik.pl/381/21e13d1b8c149fa9m.jpg) (http://www.fotosik.pl/showFullSize.php?id=21e13d1b8c149fa9)




Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Bryce on 21:07, 05 June 14
Very nice. You should use 90° PCB mounted switches. It would save you quite a bit of wire soldering and bolting of switches.

Bryce.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Gryzor on 17:44, 11 June 14
Ohh yeah. So much prettier!
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: emuola on 22:10, 13 June 14
For sale @ Sellmyretro.com


Amstrad DDI-1 clone, floppy drive interface (http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/Amstrad-DDI-1-clone%2C-floppy-drive-interface-3738)



Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Bryce on 10:46, 14 June 14
And already sold. Will there be a batch of them coming?

Bryce.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 13:15, 14 June 14
I have components and pcb for 20 devices.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Bryce on 20:57, 14 June 14
Quantity Available = 0 ?

Bryce.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 21:09, 14 June 14
Yop. next 5 be aviable soon.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 19:50, 16 June 14
Next 4 is done.
Amstrad DDI-1 clone, floppy drive interface (http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/3757)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 18:13, 25 June 14
And next 4,  two is with modded Sony floppy drive,  second two is standart. Is again on sellmyretro.com

Amstrad DDI-1 clone, floppy drive interface and 3.5 modded floppy drive (http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/3765)

Amstrad DDI-1 clone, floppy drive interface (http://www.sellmyretro.com/offer/details/3766)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Gryzor on 17:45, 26 June 14
Maybe start a new thread with a proper subject in the proper subforum? :)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 18:34, 26 June 14
Right, sorry about this spam  :D
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Gryzor on 19:10, 26 June 14
Nah, didn't mean it that way, I just went to tweet about it and thought the thread has the wrong title...
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 12:26, 12 July 14
As promised, full documentation .Somebody can add it to CPC Wikipedia? On my nickname Zaxon please?
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 14:14, 14 July 14
Hmm, 32 downloads and nobody can write simply "thanks" or something? Strange and littlebit sad.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: beaker on 14:46, 14 July 14
Don't take it too personally, the 32 people are probably like myself, who aren't technically minded and don't understand what we're looking at  :laugh:

Thanks for making a great product and making it open source. Hopefully someone who updates the wiki can put it on there.
I need to see how my finances are at the end of the month but I am still hoping to buy myself one.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 15:06, 14 July 14
Should be 32 times the same guy too...  :laugh:
(thank you, I will download it a day)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: beaker on 15:16, 14 July 14
It's been a good year for hardware. The DDI-clone making 464's useful again along with the X-mem.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 15:54, 14 July 14
Well  is good time to finish my  Turbosound FM sound card for Amstrad  , 12 channels, sample song recorded from my 464 from testing working prototype ,
FM  http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm10.mp3  (http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm10.mp3)
and only 6 channels AY http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm11.mp3 (http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm11.mp3)

Card is 2x ym2203 plus 2 x ym3014 fore FM. ;)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: beaker on 16:16, 14 July 14
Wow, that came out of a 464?!?!  :o
Impressive!
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 16:20, 14 July 14
It a reason why i asking about feedback, i can made but why made if is zero reaction? I made lot of stuff for myself for my fun, i can share it but i dont see point made more if is no answer. ;)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Neil79 on 16:38, 14 July 14
Quote from: Piotr on 15:54, 14 July 14
Well  is good time to finish my  Turbosound FM sound card for Amstrad  ,


WOW Wants! :D :D
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: CraigsBar on 16:42, 14 July 14
Quote from: Piotr on 15:54, 14 July 14
Well  is good time to finish my  Turbosound FM sound card for Amstrad  , 12 channels, sample song recorded from my 464 from testing working prototype ,
FM  http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm10.mp3  (http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm10.mp3)
and only 6 channels AY http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm11.mp3 (http://www.eightbitclone.com/tsfm11.mp3)

Card is 2x ym2203 plus 2 x ym3014 fore FM. ;)
amazing sound. How does that compare hardwarewise to the PlayCity? I guess I need both lol. Good job I have multiple cpcs. Please make this, I'd buy one if the price was right.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 16:44, 14 July 14
As I'm releasing the PlayCity (CTC-AY) in 2 weeks, that add more interesting features for the CPC itself and does 12x AY too, I'm personally not interested.  ;D
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TCMSLP on 16:55, 14 July 14
Quote from: beaker on 14:46, 14 July 14
Don't take it too personally, the 32 people are probably like myself, who aren't technically minded and don't understand what we're looking at  :laugh:

Having just checked the thread/post/manual, I totally agree with the above.  Most would grab a copy, or download out of interest, but have no idea what they were looking at.   We have very few hardware guys which is why we haven't had a commercially available clone before now.

However, the fact you've made this available is awesome.  Those of us that understand it, appreciate it!

Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: CraigsBar on 16:57, 14 July 14
Quote from: TotO on 16:44, 14 July 14
As I'm releasing the PlayCity (CTC-AY) in 2 weeks, that add more interesting features for the CPC itself and does 12x AY too, I'm personally not interested.  ;D
only 2 weeks to wait.... Yippee.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 17:07, 14 July 14
Sorry for wasting your time. Have nice day.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 17:24, 14 July 14
Quote from: Piotr on 17:07, 14 July 14
Sorry for wasting your time. Have nice day.
Don't be sorry! :)
We are working on the board since months and some peoples have already started to program softwares for it.
So, I think that is better to inform you, for not wasting YOUR time on a close project.  8)
More informations here: PlayCity - CPCWiki (http://cpcwiki.eu/index.php/PlayCity)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Piotr on 17:42, 14 July 14
Hmm, i see it is  on ymz 294, old and hard to buy, also not FM support ,for me is step forward .But have fun
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: MaV on 18:33, 14 July 14
Piotr's sound card sounds very impressive! :)
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: TotO on 18:59, 14 July 14

Quote from: Piotr on 17:42, 14 July 14
Hmm, i see it is  on ymz 294, old and hard to buy, also not FM support ,for me is step forward .But have fun
We are in 2014. Your ICs are from 80's too... And it's not a problem to get them at all.
The YMZ294 was released after the CPC sound chip and allow exactly the same PSG features than yours. :)

Where is the CPC's soul and the nostalgia of users if you transform it as a japanese FM jukebox?
You see a step forward, because you are not thinking CPC and want to build ZX music clone boards.
Remember me how the Turbo Sound was used on ZX Spectrum games and demo since 8 years ago?

The PlayCity is a major step forward for the CPC, because it was designed for delivering his hidden power.  8)


Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: jrodriguezv on 20:51, 14 July 14
I was one of 32 downloads, sorry! My fault!

I want to thank you for your great job and for sharing it with the community.

THANK YOU!

And sorry again :-)

Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Neil79 on 20:57, 14 July 14
We even wrote an article of the DDI-1


Isn't that thanks enough  >:( :laugh:
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: beaker on 21:00, 14 July 14
Yes, yes. But at the end of the day I think we can agree that what we want is something with midi support and remastered Dizzy games lol
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: Neil79 on 21:17, 14 July 14
Quote from: beaker on 21:00, 14 July 14
Yes, yes. But at the end of the day I think we can agree that what we want is something with midi support and remastered Dizzy games lol


Already have the remastered Dizzy games, "DizzyAge"  :laugh:
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: steve on 16:03, 15 July 14
Quote from: Piotr on 17:07, 14 July 14
Sorry for wasting your time. Have nice day.

Please don't give up, we need more people developing hardware for the CPC.
Title: Re: DDI-1 clone 95 % done.
Post by: ralferoo on 20:55, 15 July 14
I was one of the downloaders. I don't have any need for one of these boards, but I was just looking out of interest because I like looking at schematics and the boards looked nice from the photos. However it wasn't much use to me because the schematic was just the one from the DDI-1 repair manual and the board was made with some PCB software I've never heard of, so I couldn't open it to see if there was a schematic of yours in there.

The gerbers would be very useful if I wanted to produce one of these boards, but if I actually needed one then I'd rather buy one from you to support your project. I appreciate that you've done this and opened it up though, it's really nice for the community and it means that if you ever stop wanting to make them someone else can!

However, the nature of this kind of thing is that people generally don't respond. I remember several years ago, I released a new open source project that got 3000 downloads in the first week. The download link was next to a "please donate $1" button. I didn't get a single comment from anyone who downloaded it, and only a single $1 donation that was actually from a friend who didn't even download the software but just thought it was cool. So, personally I've learned not to expect too much from users!

Anyway, it's good you've done this and keep working on new things. At the end of the day, if you enjoy it, do it and even if something doesn't get a great response, if it's useful to you it's bound to be useful to someone else, so keep sharing! :)
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