# HLS Radio Converter enables old Wi-Fi radios to play modern streams

> **Key takeaway:** The open-source HLS Radio Converter translates modern HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) into legacy HTTP MP3 streams for older hardware.

**Published:** 2026-10-22T18:30:40+00:00 
**Source:** Hackaday Hardware 
**Category:** open-hardware 
**Canonical URL:** https://fosswire.org/news/hls-radio-converter-enables-old-wi-fi-radios-to-play-modern-.html 

## Summary
Clifford Farrugia has developed the HLS Radio Converter, an open-source tool designed to prevent older internet radio appliances from becoming e-waste. The tool converts modern HLS protocol streams into the older HTTP MP3 format that legacy devices can decode. It is lightweight enough to run on hardware like a Raspberry Pi.

## How the HLS Radio Converter works
- Converts **HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)** to **HTTP MP3** streams.
- Users provide a modern stream URL as input.
- The tool generates a new URL pointing to the converted legacy-format stream.
- Designed to run on low-power hardware such as **Raspberry Pi**.

## Why it matters
This project provides a way to extend the lifecycle of older internet-connected hardware that lacks support for modern streaming protocols.