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Overview

Tornado supports advanced download options including resolution selection, video clipping, and live stream recording.

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Resolution Selection

Limit the maximum video resolution to reduce file size and download time.

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Available Resolutions

ValueResolutionDescription
bestMaximumDownload highest available quality (default)
21604K UHD3840x2160
14402K QHD2560x1440
1080Full HD1920x1080
720HD1280x720
480SD854x480
360Low640x360

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Example

curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
    "max_resolution": "720"
  }'
If the requested resolution is not available, Tornado downloads the next best available quality.

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Video Clipping

Extract a specific segment from a video using start and end timestamps.

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Timestamp Formats

Both formats are supported:
  • HH:MM:SS - Hours, minutes, seconds (e.g., 01:30:45)
  • Seconds - Raw seconds (e.g., 5445)

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Examples

# Extract 1:30 to 3:00
curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
    "clip_start": "00:01:30",
    "clip_end": "00:03:00"
  }'

# Extract first 60 seconds
curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
    "clip_start": "0",
    "clip_end": "60"
  }'

# Extract from 5 minutes to end
curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
    "clip_start": "00:05:00"
  }'
clip_end must be greater than clip_start. Invalid timestamps will return a 400 error.

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Live Stream Recording

Record ongoing YouTube or Twitch live streams.

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Parameters

ParameterTypeDescription
live_recordingbooleanEnable live stream mode
live_from_startbooleanRecord from stream beginning (VOD mode)
max_durationintegerMaximum recording duration in seconds
wait_for_videobooleanWait for scheduled streams to start

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Basic Live Recording

curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/live/abc123",
    "live_recording": true,
    "max_duration": 3600
  }'

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Record from Start (VOD Mode)

curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/live/abc123",
    "live_recording": true,
    "live_from_start": true,
    "max_duration": 7200
  }'

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Wait for Scheduled Stream

curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scheduled_stream_id",
    "live_recording": true,
    "wait_for_video": true,
    "max_duration": 3600
  }'
Always set max_duration for live streams to prevent indefinite recordings. Recommended: 2-4 hours maximum.

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Combining Options

You can combine multiple options in a single request: 
curl -X POST "https://tornado.velys.software/jobs" \
  -H "x-api-key: sk_your_api_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "url": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ",
    "max_resolution": "1080",
    "clip_start": "00:00:30",
    "clip_end": "00:02:00",
    "format": "mp4",
    "webhook_url": "https://myapp.com/webhook",
    "enable_progress_webhook": true
  }'

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Error Handling

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Invalid Resolution

{
  "error": "Invalid resolution '4k'. Valid options: [\"best\", \"2160\", \"1440\", \"1080\", \"720\", \"480\", \"360\"]"
}

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Invalid Timestamps

{
  "error": "Invalid clip_start format 'abc'. Use HH:MM:SS or seconds"
}

{
  "error": "clip_end must be greater than clip_start"
}