Yes, it is possible to broadcast Facebook Live videos horizontally. When going live on Facebook, you have the option to toggle between broadcasting in landscape/horizontal mode or portrait/vertical mode.
How to Go Live Horizontally on Facebook
Here are the steps to broadcast live videos horizontally on Facebook:
- Open the Facebook app on your phone and tap on the “Live” icon at the top of your News Feed.
- On the next screen, tap on “Go Live.” Do not tap “Start Live Video” yet.
- Tap on the icon in the bottom left corner that looks like a smartphone with arrow arced around it. This is the orientation toggle.
- Select “Landscape” to switch to landscape/horizontal orientation.
- The preview will now show horizontally. Tap on “Start Live Video” to begin broadcasting.
And that’s it! As long as you select the landscape orientation before starting your live video, your broadcast will be in horizontal/landscape mode. Your viewers will see it fullscreen horizontally on their devices.
Benefits of Horizontal Video
There are a few advantages to going live horizontally rather than vertically:
- Horizontal video fills up more of the viewer’s screen since most displays are wider than they are tall.
- Landscape orientations typically feel more natural and cinematic.
- You can better showcase wide scenes and landscapes.
- Viewers don’t have to crane their necks sideways to watch.
So in situations where it makes sense to capture a wider field of view, horizontal video is likely the better choice.
When to Use Vertical Instead
However, vertical video may sometimes be preferable over horizontal:
- If you need to show something tall like a building, person, or product upright.
- When filming video intended specifically for mobile devices and apps like Instagram or TikTok Stories.
- For a more intimate, portrait style look.
- If your camera gear and setup make vertical filming easier.
Vertical orientation can work well when the subject matter fits naturally in a portrait frame. But horizontal tends to be better for landscapes and wide scenes.
Tips for High Quality Horizontal Video
To make sure your landscape live videos look great, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a smartphone gimbal or stabilizer to avoid shaky footage.
- Position the camera horizontally for wider context and perspective.
- Move the camera slowly and fluidly when panning.
- Avoid distracting vertical compositions like trees in the background.
- Pay attention to lighting so viewers can see clearly.
- Use landscape orientation but hold the phone vertically when monitoring comments.
Taking a few minutes to setup properly for horizontal broadcasts will give your live videos a more polished, professional look.
Tools for Horizontal Live Streams
Going live horizontally requires positioning your smartphone or camera equipment appropriately. Here are some useful gear options:
- Smartphone gimbals: Handheld gimbals like DJI OM 4 stabilize smartphone video in landscape orientation.
- Camera webcams: Most webcams designed for computers can shoot horizontally.
- Mirrorless/DSLR cameras: With a horizontal grip, you can live stream high quality horizontal footage.
- Tripods: Tripods designed for phones and cameras let you mount them sideways for landscape framing.
Investing in the right gear for stable, level landscape shooting can vastly improve the production value of your Facebook Live videos.
Facebook Live Viewing Options
Viewers have a couple different options to watch your horizontal broadcasts:
- Facebook app: When watching in-app, horizontal videos will fill the screen sideways.
- Facebook website: On a computer, horizontal videos will play in a landscape player.
- Fullscreen mode: Both in-app and on desktop, viewers can click to view the video fullscreen horizontally.
So Facebook is designed to optimize viewing experience for horizontal videos. But unlike some apps like Snapchat or TikTok, the Facebook video player does not automatically rotate based on a video’s orientation.
Formatting Considerations
A few other things to keep in mind when broadcasting live horizontally on Facebook:
- Descriptions and titles will still display vertically, so write them accordingly.
- Videos display rectangular on desktop News Feeds, so thumbnails may be cropped.
- Aspect ratio will be 16:9 instead of 9:16 like vertical video.
- A wider frame allows more creative compositions and camera movements.
Align your entire broadcast visually and logistically for a horizontal presentation to achieve the best results.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you run into issues going live horizontally on Facebook, here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Double check that orientation is set to landscape in the Facebook app settings.
- Try force quitting and reopening the Facebook app if the toggle is unresponsive.
- Ensure your phone software and Facebook app are updated to the latest versions.
- Check that your phone is compatible with landscape live streaming.
- Consider switching devices if problems persist on a particular phone.
With Facebook’s built-in orientation controls, horizontal live streaming should work seamlessly provided your hardware and software are functioning properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the video size requirements for horizontal Facebook Live?
Facebook recommends uploading horizontal video that is at least 720p HD resolution for optimal quality. Aspect ratio should be 16:9 and bit rate around 4,000 kbps if possible.
Can I schedule a horizontal live stream on Facebook?
Yes, you can schedule both horizontal and vertical live broadcasts through Facebook’s Creator Studio. Just be sure to set the orientation in the Facebook app itself right before your scheduled stream begins.
Do I need any special equipment to live stream horizontally?
You can go live horizontally using just a smartphone if you position it sideways in landscape orientation. But accessories like tripods, lights, and gimbals can further enhance production quality.
What content works best for horizontal live videos?
Landscape scenery, wide establishing shots, interviews, musical performances, and other content that benefits from a wide perspective tends to work best horizontally. But vertical can also be great for portraits and close-ups.
Can I rotate my phone mid-broadcast to switch orientation?
It’s best to choose either vertical or horizontal orientation before starting your live stream. Rotating your camera mid-broadcast could disorient viewers as the video shifts sideways.
Conclusion
Facebook Live makes it easy to broadcast videos in horizontal landscape mode for a more cinematic, visually engaging experience. While vertical has its benefits, horizontal orientation typically provides the most immersive viewing for live streams. With the right preparation and gear, you can elevate your Facebook broadcasts by going live horizontally.
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