How do I stream horizontally on Facebook?

Streaming live video horizontally on Facebook is easy once you know how. There are a couple different ways to achieve a landscape orientation when going live on Facebook, depending on the device and software you are using.

Streaming Horizontally from a Phone

If you want to stream horizontally from your phone directly through the Facebook app, the easiest way is to simply turn your phone sideways before you begin streaming. Just go into the Facebook app, tap on the Live icon, and turn your phone to landscape mode before tapping the Start Live Video button. This will make your broadcast appear horizontally oriented for your viewers.

You can also try using a phone mount or tripod to securely hold your phone in landscape orientation as you broadcast live. This prevents you from having to physically hold your phone sideways, which can get tiring after long streaming sessions. Simply mount your phone horizontally, open the Facebook app, and begin streaming as usual.

Using Third-Party Streaming Apps

Another option is to use a dedicated third-party live streaming app like Streamlabs or Streamyard to stream horizontally to Facebook. These apps allow you to set a custom orientation and resolution, ensuring your broadcast appears landscape style when viewed on Facebook.

To stream horizontally using Streamlabs:

1. Open the Streamlabs app on your phone
2. Tap the gear icon to access settings
3. Under Video Settings, choose a Landscape resolution like 1280×720
4. Under Orientation, choose Landscape Left or Landscape Right
5. Exit settings and begin your horizontal live stream
6. In Streamlabs, select Facebook as your destination and stream as usual

Streamyard offers similar settings, allowing you to specify a Landscape live stream before broadcasting to Facebook. The advantage of using these apps is they ensure your stream is horizontally oriented regardless of how you hold your phone.

Streaming Horizontally from a Desktop

Streaming horizontally is even easier when broadcasting live video directly from a desktop computer. There are a couple ways to achieve this:

Using the Facebook Website

If you want to stream directly through Facebook’s website:

1. Go to facebook.com in your internet browser
2. Click on the Live Video icon
3. Allow access to your webcam and microphone when prompted
4. Click the camera icon to access video settings
5. Select a horizontal resolution like 1280×720
6. Click Start Live Video

Your viewers will see your live stream in a horizontal format. Just be sure your webcam is positioned sideways to capture a landscape view.

Using Streaming Software

For professional desktop streams, most broadcasters use dedicated streaming software like OBS or Streamlabs Desktop. These give you more control over your video settings and stream quality.

To stream horizontally with Streamlabs Desktop:

1. Install and open Streamlabs Desktop
2. Right click your Scene and click Transform > Edit Transform
3. In the Scale settings, choose a 16:9 horizontal resolution like 1280×720
4. In the Rotation settings, enter 90° to rotate your scene sideways
5. Click Done and preview your horizontal scene
6. Go to Streamlabs’ Facebook settings and stream as usual

OBS Studio has similar options to rotate your canvas and choose a Landscape output resolution before streaming to Facebook Live. The advantage of native streaming software is it ensures a horizontal stream every time.

Using a Camera Designed for Horizontal Streaming

Dedicated horizontal live streaming cameras make it easy to broadcast landscape oriented video to Facebook Live and other platforms:

• Mevo Start: Small camera with a rotating head to easily switch between vertical and horizontal orientations.
• Mevo Plus: Larger horizontal live event camera with premium features like 4K streaming.
• LiveShell X: All-in-one suitcase-style horizontal streaming kit for pro-level broadcasts.

These cameras directly output widescreen 1080p video that will appear horizontally oriented when you connect and stream to Facebook. Their integrated apps give you control over your landscape stream.

Tips for Quality Horizontal Streams

Here are some tips to help your landscape live streams look more professional on Facebook:

• Position your main subject/s off-center – Having your subject perfectly centered can look unnatural in horizontal frames. The rule of thirds is ideal.
• Avoid excessive headroom – Leave some space above your subject’s head, but not too much empty space.
• Check your lighting – Horizontal video shows more background, so lighting is very important.
• Use landscape framing – Zoom out and show more of the scene rather than cropping tight like a vertical selfie stream.
• Keep your camera steady – Use a tripod or phone mount so the horizon stays level.

Troubleshooting Horizontal Streams

If your broadcast appears vertical on Facebook Live despite your best efforts, here are some things to try:

• Double check your output resolution settings – Make sure it’s set to a horizontal resolution.
• Try adjusting the orientation/rotation – Toggle between landscape left, right, and inverted modes.
• Reset the camera and any streaming apps – Force quit and reopen the apps to reset any glitches.
• Disconnect and reconnect your webcam – This can reset any orientation issues.
• Use different streaming software – If one app won’t cooperate, try switching to a different platform.
• Go wired – Connect your camera directly to your computer/device using a video cable to force horizontal output.

With some experimentation, you should be able to reliably broadcast in a horizontal landscape orientation for Facebook Live. Taking the time to configure your stream correctly results in a more professional, visually engaging viewing experience for your audience.

Conclusion

Streaming horizontally on Facebook Live is about choosing the right hardware, software, and video settings for an optimal landscape orientation. Dedicated horizontal cameras and apps make it easy, but you can achieve the same effect using just your smartphone or computer if configured properly before streaming. With some practice and the tips provided, you’ll be able to create widescreen broadcasts that look fantastic for your viewers on Facebook.