Facebook Live is a great way to broadcast live video to your followers on Facebook. By default, Facebook Live videos are streamed in vertical orientation, which is ideal for mobile devices. However, there may be times when you want to stream horizontally, such as for landscape scenes or gameplay videos.
Why stream horizontally on Facebook Live?
Here are some reasons you may want to stream horizontally on Facebook Live:
- You want to show more content side-to-side like a landscape, wide scene, or gameplay
- Your camera or webcam shoots in landscape mode by default
- You want your video to take up more space in the Facebook feed
- Horizontal video looks more natural on desktop screens and TVs
Streaming horizontally allows you to fit more content into the frame and utilize the full capabilities of widescreen cameras and webcams. It creates an immersive viewing experience for landscapes, action shots, and gameplay videos.
How to stream horizontally on Facebook Live
Streaming horizontally on Facebook Live requires a few simple steps:
- Set up your camera or webcam in landscape orientation. Make sure it is configured to record video horizontally.
- When broadcasting from your phone, rotate your phone sideways to horizontal orientation.
- Go to Facebook and tap on the Live button in the status box. This will launch the Facebook Live producer.
- The preview will automatically match the horizontal orientation of your camera. Double check that it is horizontal.
- Fill out the video title, description, tags, and other options just like a normal vertical video.
- Tap Go Live to start streaming horizontally!
The video will now broadcast in widescreen landscape format to your audience. It will take up more space in the Facebook feed and display more content side-by-side. The playback will also default to horizontal mode on desktop and mobile devices.
Tips for streaming horizontally
Here are some tips when streaming horizontally on Facebook Live:
- Always choose a horizontal camera angle that fills the frame appropriately.
- Make sure your lighting accommodates a horizontal scene.
- Use landscape orientation for gameplay, field events, scenery, and room tours.
- Add text overlays horizontally to look best on a wide scene.
- Monitor comments in horizontal fullscreen mode to see what viewers see.
Following these best practices will give you the best results when streaming in landscape mode. Take some test broadcasts to get used to horizontal streaming.
What devices support horizontal live streaming?
Any smartphone, camera, or webcam that can record horizontal video will work for horizontal live streaming. Here are some of the most common devices and apps:
| Device | App/Software |
|---|---|
| iPhone | Facebook App |
| Android Phone | Facebook App |
| DSLR Camera | Facebook App + HDMI Capture Card |
| Webcam | Streaming Software like OBS or XSplit |
| Game Console | Capture Card + Streaming Software |
Essentially any camera that connects to a smartphone, computer, or encoder will work. Make sure you have the right cables, capture cards, and software.
Connect a DSLR camera to stream horizontally
One of the best ways to stream stunning horizontal video is to connect your DSLR camera directly to Facebook Live. Here’s how to set it up:
- Connect your DSLR camera’s HDMI output to an HDMI capture card input.
- Connect the capture card to your computer via USB.
- Use live streaming software like OBS or XSplit to detect the capture card input.
- Configure the live streaming software to stream to Facebook Live.
- Rotate your camera horizontally and frame your desired scene.
- Go live and your DSLR video will stream in HD landscape format.
DSLR cameras provide excellent image quality and control for live streaming. Using a capture setup like this will let you broadcast very professional, cinematic horizontal video.
Use a smartphone to live stream horizontally
The easiest way to stream horizontally is directly from your phone’s camera:
- Launch the Facebook app and tap the Live button.
- Rotate your phone sideways so the camera is in landscape orientation.
- The live preview will adjust to horizontal automatically.
- Fill in the video title and description then tap Go Live.
- Hold your phone steady or mount it to stream smoothly.
- Interact with viewers and comments while your live video broadcasts in widescreen.
Going live directly from your smartphone is the quickest way to stream horizontal video. Just be sure to position the phone appropriately to frame your desired shots.
Use a webcam to stream horizontally
You can also broadcast horizontal live video using any USB webcam connected to your computer. The steps include:
- Connect your webcam and configure it in your live streaming software.
- Set the webcam to record in 1080p or 720p resolution for best results.
- Rotate the webcam horizontally to frame your desired shots.
- In your streaming software, select the webcam as the video input.
- Configure the output to stream to your Facebook page.
- Adjust webcam lighting and focus until the preview looks good.
- Go live and your webcam video will stream in widescreen landscape format.
Almost any webcam can stream horizontally when positioned correctly and integrated with software. Consider getting a wide-angle webcam to capture more of your scene.
Stream console gaming horizontally
Gaming consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One can stream horizontal gameplay when connected through a capture card setup:
- Connect your console’s HDMI output to the HDMI input on the capture card.
- Connect the capture card to your streaming computer via USB.
- Configure your live streaming software like OBS to detect the capture card input.
- In the software, set the video to stream to Facebook Live.
- Launch your game on the console and the horizontal gameplay will appear in the software.
- Go live and the stream will broadcast your gaming in widescreen landscape format.
Console gaming streams horizontally perfectly since the games natively run in landscape orientation. A direct HDMI connection ensures great quality. Just be sure to have the right cables and capture card.
Common problems with horizontal live streaming
Streaming horizontally introduces some new challenges. Here are some common problems and how to solve them:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Video is sideways or rotated incorrectly | Double check camera/device orientation and rotate as needed. Reset software. |
| Black bars on the sides of the video | Reposition camera to fill the frame and use widescreen angles. |
| Small video size on viewer’s screen | Stream at 720p or 1080p resolution. Set software encoding higher. |
With some adjustments to your camera position, resolution, and encoding settings, you can troubleshoot horizontal live streaming. Test out your setup beforehand.
Conclusion
Streaming horizontally on Facebook Live provides a more immersive viewing experience for your landscape-style content. Set up your smartphone, DSLR, webcam, or gaming console horizontally using the steps outlined. Frame your shots nicely, broadcast at HD resolution, and interact with horizontal comments for best results.
With the right setup and some practice, you can become an expert at horizontal live streaming. Just remember to keep your camera stable, check lighting and audio, and optimize for a widescreen viewing experience. Have fun going live in landscape orientation!