DDI-1 interface

[salvogendut]

I am looking to purchase a DDI-1 interface for a CPC464 (either original or clone) . Ideally I should be able to connect an external drive/gotek to it and use easily. I am located in Italy 

[Richard_Lloyd]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F9bVkAgjD/?

Piotr Bugaj makes a DDI-1 clone.

[eto]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F9bVkAgjD/?

Piotr Bugaj makes a DDI-1 clone.

Slightly related: He also announced that he will close down his company end of the year.

I am looking to purchase a DDI-1 interface for a CPC464 (either original or clone) . Ideally I should be able to connect an external drive/gotek to it and use easily. I am located in Italy 

Be aware that you need the original floppy drive to power the controller module. The controller gets its 5V from the floppy. Modification is possible but not too simple.

If you want a GOTEK anyway you should consider the DDI5 or DDI6 also made by Piotr. They combine the DDI with GOTEK and 512K RAM (DDI 6 also ROM board) in a single device. The price is a bit high but still cheaper than getting the individual parts and a lot less hassle as you don't have to deal with any modifications. 

There are also other expansions that might make sense. The ULIFAC and the upcoming PicoROM also provide DSK access, ram and rom and are much cheaper - but don't contain a real disk controller.

[salvogendut]

If you want a GOTEK anyway you should consider the DDI5 or DDI6 also made by Piotr. They combine the DDI with GOTEK and 512K RAM (DDI 6 also ROM board) in a single device. The price is a bit high but still cheaper than getting the individual parts and a lot less hassle as you don't have to deal with any modifications. 

Ideally I'd want something simple with just an external connector for the gotek/disk (and the gotek/disk will be powered by an external power supply). Even though I like the idea of DDI5 and 6 they are expensive and I don't like that they are trying to be everything (ram expansion, FDC emulator and external connector). I'd be happy with something like a DDI with just the external connector. I have a ULIfAC already and I like it the way it is but would love to be able to connect a real disk to a 464

[Bryce]

Be aware that you need the original floppy drive to power the controller module. The controller gets its 5V from the floppy. Modification is possible but not too simple.

It's not that difficult, it just involves adding a wire to the DDI-1 PCB:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:DDI_Modification1.png

Bryce.

[salvogendut]

Be aware that you need the original floppy drive to power the controller module. The controller gets its 5V from the floppy. Modification is possible but not too simple.

It's not that difficult, it just involves adding a wire to the DDI-1 PCB:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:DDI_Modification1.png

Bryce.

Thanks @Bryce !!! I wonder if there are DDI clones out there that can be easily built as DIY projects

[eto]

It's not that difficult, it just involves adding a wire to the DDI-1 PCB:
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:DDI_Modification1.png

If you are doing only this you would have a short the moment you attach the GOTEK. You at least also need to precisely cut wires on the flat cable or do a few more mods on the DDI itself. Unfortunately I don't remember where I found the document that explained how to mod the DDI-1 without the need for cutting wires.

Even though I like the idea of DDI5 and 6 they are expensive

A used DDI-1 is usually not much cheaper than a new DDI-5.

I wonder if there are DDI clones out there that can be easily built as DIY projects

I looked for such a project too in the past and haven't found a project but the schematics are available so it should be easy to build a DDI.

[xesrjb]

I looked for such a project too in the past and haven't found a project but the schematics are available so it should be easy to build a DDI.

Ask @hans from VzEkC. He rebuild the Vortex Controller without ROM Socket...

xesrjb 

[Rabs]

I looked for such a project too in the past and haven't found a project but the schematics are available so it should be easy to build a DDI.

Quite a few posts on the subject of a DDI-1 clone.

DDI-1 DIY There is a re-drawn image of the schematic on post #9, which I have not looked at in any detail.
DDI-1 CLONE ver. 2.0 ready
DDI-1 clone - some help needed


I have two D765ACs in my spares pile and can still source them on EBay but not sure about sourcing the FDC9229.