⚡ Firehat: Open-Source FireWire HAT for SBCs

Firehat is an open-source hardware add-on designed to enable FireWire DV capture on single-board computers equipped with a PCIe FFC connector. The module integrates a VIA VT6315N FireWire controller to facilitate direct data acquisition from legacy digital video devices. This solution targets users requiring hardware-level interface compatibility without relying on external adapters or proprietary drivers.

The HAT supports both DV and HDV capture formats, providing a standardized pathway for digitizing older camcorder footage. Onboard controls are included to manage basic operations directly from the expansion board. The design leverages the PCIe interface to ensure stable data throughput suitable for video streams.

As an open-source project, Firehat allows for full schematic access and potential community-driven modifications. It addresses the scarcity of native FireWire ports on modern SBCs by utilizing the flexible PCIe FFC standard. The hardware remains strictly focused on the capture functionality described in the initial release.