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FAQ

Answers to commonly asked questions.

What is TurboKast?

TurboKast lets you broadcast to multiple platforms at once with reliable ingest and real-time metrics.

Do I need to install anything?

No. Use your existing encoder (OBS, etc.). Point it at TurboKast and we relay to your destinations.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. There are no long-term contracts. Cancel or upgrade from your account settings.

Why does TurboKast need streaming permissions?

TurboKast requests streaming permissions so we can automatically connect your Twitch and YouTube accounts and forward your streams to multiple platforms simultaneously. This eliminates the need to manually configure stream keys and settings.

When you sign in, we request permissions to:

  • Read your basic profile information (name, email, profile picture)
  • Manage your streaming settings and live broadcasts
  • Access your stream keys to forward your content

This one-time authorization allows you to start multi-streaming in under 2 minutes instead of manually configuring each platform.

What happens if I deny streaming permissions?

You can still sign in to TurboKast even if you deny streaming permissions. However, you'll need to manually connect your platforms later from your Dashboard or Settings.

If you denied permissions initially, you can reconnect anytime by:

  1. Going to your Dashboard
  2. Clicking "Connect Twitch" or "Connect YouTube"
  3. Approving the streaming permissions when prompted
Is my data secure?

Yes! We take security very seriously:

  • Encryption: All OAuth tokens and stream keys are encrypted at rest using industry-standard encryption
  • OAuth 2.0: We use OAuth 2.0, which means we never see or store your passwords
  • Minimal access: We only request the minimum permissions needed for streaming
  • Revocable: You can revoke our access anytime from your Twitch or YouTube account settings

Your streaming content passes through our servers only for forwarding purposes and is never stored or recorded.

Can I disconnect my accounts later?

Yes! You have full control over your connected accounts. You can disconnect or reconnect at any time from your Settings page.

Note: If you disconnect all OAuth providers, you won't be able to sign back in. Make sure you have at least one connected account for authentication.

What specific permissions does TurboKast request?

For Twitch:

  • user:read:email - To identify your account
  • channel:manage:broadcast - To manage stream settings
  • channel:read:stream_key - To access your stream key

For Google/YouTube:

  • email and profile - To identify your account
  • youtube.force-ssl - To create and manage live streams
  • youtube.readonly - To read stream settings
How long does onboarding take?

Our streamlined onboarding takes under 2 minutes! After signing in with Twitch or YouTube, you'll complete just 2 simple steps:

  1. Step 1 (30 seconds): Copy your ingest URL and stream key
  2. Step 2 (90 seconds): Test your stream connection with OBS

Your stream and platform connection are created automatically during sign-in, so you can start streaming immediately after setup.

What do I need to start streaming?

To start streaming with TurboKast, you'll need:

  • A streaming encoder: We recommend OBS Studio (free and open source), but any RTMP-compatible encoder works (Streamlabs, XSplit, etc.)
  • A Twitch or YouTube account: Used for sign-in and as your first streaming destination
  • Basic streaming content: A webcam, game capture, or any video source configured in your encoder

Don't have OBS yet? No problem! We'll guide you through downloading and setting it up during onboarding.

How do I set up OBS with TurboKast?

Setting up OBS is simple with our step-by-step guidance. During onboarding, you'll:

  1. Copy your unique TurboKast ingest URL and stream key
  2. Open OBS Studio and go to Settings → Stream
  3. Select "Custom" as the service
  4. Paste your TurboKast ingest URL in the Server field
  5. Paste your stream key in the Stream Key field
  6. Click OK to save settings
  7. Click "Start Streaming" in OBS

Need more help? Watch OBS video tutorials for detailed setup instructions.

What happens during the stream test?

The stream test (Step 2) verifies that TurboKast can receive your stream and forward it to your connected platforms. Here's what happens:

  • Start streaming in OBS: Your encoder connects to TurboKast's ingest server
  • Real-time detection: We detect your connection within 2 seconds and show a success message
  • Automatic verification: Your stream is forwarded to your connected platforms (Twitch, YouTube, etc.)
  • Auto-redirect: Once connected, you're automatically sent to your dashboard

The test has a 2-minute timeout. If we don't detect your stream, we'll show troubleshooting tips to help resolve common issues.

What if I skip onboarding?

You can skip onboarding at any time and complete it later from your dashboard. If you skip:

  • Your stream and platform connections are still created and ready to use
  • You'll see a banner on your dashboard with a link to complete setup
  • You can access your ingest URL and stream key anytime from your dashboard
  • The banner is dismissible if you prefer to set up OBS on your own

To restart onboarding, just click the "Complete your first stream test" banner on your dashboard, or navigate to Settings → Stream Settings.

My stream test didn't work, what should I do?

If your stream test times out or doesn't connect, try these common solutions:

1. Verify your OBS settings

  • Check that you copied the complete ingest URL (including rtmp://)
  • Verify your stream key is pasted correctly (no extra spaces)
  • Ensure you selected "Custom" as the service

2. Check OBS is actually streaming

  • Look for the green "streaming" indicator in OBS
  • Check the OBS log for connection errors
  • Try clicking "Stop Streaming" then "Start Streaming" again

3. Network and firewall issues

  • Ensure your firewall isn't blocking OBS
  • Try disabling VPN if you're using one
  • Check your internet connection is stable

Still having issues? Click "Get Help" during the test or reach out to our support team at [email protected].