Bring Back MiniDV with This Raspberry Pi FireWire Hat

4 days ago

A new FireWire HAT for Raspberry Pi enables building a portable Memory Recording Unit (MRU) to replace tapes in older FireWire/i.Link/DV cameras.
The setup includes a Raspberry Pi 5, the Firehat, a PiSugar 3 Plus battery, and an Apple FireWire cable, allowing portable recording for 2-4 hours.
FireWire support must be enabled in the Pi's Linux kernel, followed by installing Firehat software for features like GPIO buttons, an OLED display, and recording status.
Recordings are saved locally and can be transferred via USB, WiFi, or SFTP, offering an alternative to vintage MRUs like the Sony HVR-MRC1.
Alternatives include using a Mini PCIe HAT with a StarTech FireWire adapter, though control via command line is less integrated than the Firehat's GPIO interface.
Compatibility tested with TI XIO2213A and VIA VT6315N FireWire controllers; future Linux kernel support for FireWire is uncertain beyond 2029.
The Firehat and equip-1 are part of a Crowd Supply campaign, with the Pi-based MRU costing around $150-200, offering archival and device interfacing capabilities.

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