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File-based now-playing graphics for radio

Turn your radio automation's text export into on-screen titles. VRA watches the file for changes and reads its artist and title fields, so your graphics can follow the show without a network export plugin.

How File watch and VRA work together.

Read an existing export

Use the text file your radio system already updates when the track changes.

Match the field layout

Select the separator and supported artist/title order instead of retyping the values.

Choose how the data is used

Assign the file a current, upcoming or history role to match the information it contains.

How to set it up.

Requirements

  • A text file in one of the supported field layouts.
  • VRA Core with read access to the file or network share.
  • The correct separator, field order and role configured in VRA.
  1. Configure the radio automation to write its now-playing text file.

  2. Add a File Text automation connection in VRA and enter the path Core can read.

  3. Choose the file role, separator and artist/title order that match the export.

  4. Change the playing item and confirm the received values before binding them to graphics.

File watch questions

Can VRA read any text-file layout? +

Use one of the supported artist/title field orders and configure the separator. A differently structured file needs to be transformed or connected through another supported automation format.

Is this how Clips finds video recordings? +

No. File Text reads radio metadata for AutomationLink. Recording folders are configured separately as Clips ingest sources.

Visual Radio Assist

About File watch.

Some radio systems export the playing item to a text file. VRA's File Text connection reads that file when it changes.

You choose the field order, separator and role for the information. This connection reads radio metadata; it is separate from watching recording folders in Clips.

What you can do with this connection

Automated camera switching for radio

Switch cameras from microphone activity and prepare PTZ shots off air.

More info

Automated live graphics for radio

Update song titles, presenter names and show details from your automation and schedule.

More info

The products behind it.

Visual Designer

Live data-driven graphics

More info

Automation

Macros and rules

More info

More integrations.

Aeron

Connect AerOn to VRA for now-playing graphics and visual automation. Use the playlist export to update titles, artwork and item-based visuals.

GML

Connect Audisi GML to VRA for now-playing radio graphics. Read the Realtime Info XML export from your studio and use its values in your visuals.

Inbound HTTP

Send current and upcoming radio automation data to VRA over inbound HTTP. Use the generic JSON format for now-playing graphics and item-based visuals.

All integrations

Check your studio setup with us.

Tell us your camera models, video switcher and radio automation. We will check the connections and show you the workflow that fits your station.