Last time I looked for firewire cards for the laptop (PCMCIA or Express card) they were around $90. For something that might or might not work, that's a big maybe.

I don't know what's changed in the last couple of months, but now they're listed on eBay for $4. Definitely time to get the laptop screen repaired and try a firewire card in it. If that works it will be even better, since I'll be able to record video right in the kitchen.