Old ICs are getting impossible to find now

[alexh]

Not sure if one exists. Maybe @ijor knows ?

HDL for a recreated 1772 exists in multiple versions by different authors.

[ijor]

So, maybe it's time to build a working well simple FPGA replacement of 1772?

Not sure if one exists. Maybe @ijor knows ?

I do have a WD1772 compatible core. It was never tested with a real physical drive. But there is no reason to believe it won't work. It might need some adjustments, in the worst case.

HDL for a recreated 1772 exists in multiple versions by different authors.

Most one I've seen are not accurate or they are not designed at all to be used with a real drive.

[alexh]

Most one I've seen are not accurate or they are not designed at all to be used with a real drive.

You are probably right. The one I have read of being used with a real drive was by Wolfgang Förster for Suska. It is also discussed as being modified for use in Sinclair Spectrums.

[tOriman]

Hi,

I saw the code of 1772 Suska and I liked it :) I think both that and jior's codes can be used in a modern recreation of this chip, which is used in many disk station projects for Atari. FPGA device can be much better than the old VL1772 because it can run faster and also can be a replacement for AJAX. As far as accuracy is concerned - I suspect that the most accurate reproduction would be reverse-engineering of the original chip, which is a very tedious and labor-intensive job. It is a matter of willingness and time...

Greetz
tOri

[ijor]

The one I have read of being used with a real drive was by Wolfgang Förster for Suska.

IIRC, at least parts of Suska's WD1772 was implemented by DrCoolZic. But as most Suska cores, it is very far from being accurate. Well, at least last time I check it which, admittedly, was very long ago.

I suspect that the most accurate reproduction would be reverse-engineering of the original chip, which is a very tedious and labor-intensive job. It is a matter of willingness and time...

All my cores are based on reverse engineering the original chip. That includes my 68000 core which is a couple of orders of magnitude more complex than the WD1772.

[exxos]

So far the VL1772 has been priced $50-$90 :roll:

One site claims cheaper but it's difficult to tell if they scams or not. I might have to take a gamble :roll:

[alexh]

Cheapest I could find that actually had them was £39.99 inc postage

Located in Germany

[exxos]

Saw them on evil bay for about that amount.

It's odd china ran out of used chips as well. I get the chips are old. But just seems weird that nowhere in the world really has a stock of them. New or used. I mean where they all gone ?!

[exxos]

Some companies really act strangely. Like you set a target price, they contact you back with similar price then say the price is to low can I increase it. I asked for a image and they sent one which seems genuine. It's not like they don't have the stock just think it's worth more I guess. Seems a odd way to me. I mean why bother stating one price then change it. :roll:

Edit: now they saying $100.

So it's not like there isn't stock. Just very low stocks and very high prices.

Some places claim to have endless thousands of them, but £50+ but they claim they have stock but still get the impression they are brokers. So really wonder where the real "source" is for the things.

[exxos]

Dear ,

This product has been discontinued and is currently very scarce. You can’t buy it for $10. The lowest I can give you is $98!

Best Regards
Pisces Lin

Currently the worst price I have had is $151.

I have found a source (well my regular sourcing company has) it is the best quote I've had so far but still expensive. They are going to end up at ~£45 each in my store. Considering people would be lucky to obtain it for double that price and I go ahead and buy them all because this is really the last chance buy for things now :(