Live track metadata
Retrieves current track information from the station’s live audio stream and updates the display automatically.
Broadcast technology
WREK Now-Playing Display
A Raspberry Pi display system that presents live song information and station-member artwork for WREK Atlanta.
- Python
- Raspberry Pi
- Pygame
- Streaming Metadata
- Broadcast Systems
Overview
Turning a live radio stream into a physical station display.
I developed the WREK Now-Playing Display as a dedicated Raspberry Pi system for WREK Atlanta. The application presents live track metadata from the station’s stream alongside artwork created by station members.
The project combines streaming-audio metadata, interface development, visual presentation, and hardware deployment into a system designed to operate continuously within the station.
The problem
WREK needed a way to use two lobby screens in tandem.
WREK’s streaming infrastructure already displayed information about the current broadcast on a screen, but a second screen in the station lobby was not being utilized for anything.
The station needed a system that could showcase projects from the design collective while still displaying information about the current broadcast.
The solution
A live, automated broadcast display
The system connects WREK’s streaming metadata to a dedicated visual interface running on Raspberry Pi hardware.
Member artwork
Displays visual artwork created by station members in a slideshow alongside the currently playing track information.
Full-screen interface
Presents information in a clear, readable layout designed for a dedicated station display.
Continuous operation
Runs as a persistent Raspberry Pi application intended for 24/7 use in the station environment.
Interface
The display in use
The interface presents live WREK track metadata alongside artwork created by station members.
Technologies
Software, streaming, and hardware
The project required tools for metadata retrieval, audio-stream handling, graphics rendering, and embedded Linux deployment.
- Python
- Pygame
- Raspberry Pi
- FFmpeg
- XSPF
- Streaming Audio
- Metadata Parsing
- Linux
Broadcast and creative technology
Interested in radio, streaming, or embedded media systems?
Get in touch about broadcast technology, Raspberry Pi systems, streaming infrastructure, or creative software projects.