Facebook Live: What is it and how does it work?
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Facebook Live is a valuable fresh addition to the social network, which enables users to record movie and broadcast it live to their friends, followers and even the world.
Whereas before, movies had to be recorded and uploaded to the app or website after the fact, Facebook Live makes it possible to share those moments as they’re happening.
So, the next time you’re on a nice walk and want others to view the beautiful scenery; experiencing a noteworthy event you think others would be interested in; or whether you just have something you want to get off your chest, you can lightly stream the movie with a tap of your iOS or Android touchscreen.
The movie below shows an example of Facebook Live – Barack Obama in the White House.
What is Facebook Live?
Facebook Live was announced in August two thousand fifteen as a rival to Twitter’s Periscope live-streaming app. To begin with, access was restricted to VIPs like Serena Williams, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Ricky Gervais and Michael Bublé. Journalists were next to build up access, but as of April, all of Facebook’s billion-plus active users can now stream movie until their hearts are content.
Can I broadcast with Facebook Live?
If you’re using an iOS device, like an iPad or iPhone, or an Android phone or tablet, you’re good to go.
Facebook Live is not available for Facebook on the web, albeit you will be able to observe movies at Facebook.com
Very first of all you’ll need to make sure you have the latest version of the Facebook app for iOS and Android. You can check this by searching for Facebook on the App Store or Google Play Store.
How do I find the Live Movie option?
When you open the Facebook app, you’ll see the What’s on your mind status box.
Tap this and you’ll see a fresh screen with the option ‘Live Movie’.
Tap this to be taken to the next screen.
How do I begin a Facebook Live movie broadcast?
Once you’ve tapped the Live Movie option, you’ll be taken to the capture screen. You’ll see your name, the chance to type a description, and the word ‘Friends’. The latter controls who you want to see the movie.
You can choose the regular options like: Friends Only, Friends Except, Only Me. If you want as broad an audience as possible to see your citizen journalism, you can select Public.
Can I switch inbetween cameras?
The default setting is to demonstrate the viewpoint from the front-facing camera. This is excellent if you’re intent on delivering a monologue, playing a song or planning to interact with viewers’ comments. However, if you want to display what is happening from your perspective, you’ll need to switch to the rear-facing camera.
You can do this by tapping the arrows in the top-right corner of the display.
How do I go Live?
Once you’ve penned the description, set privacy options and chosen the camera you’d like to use, you should see a blue Go Live option, which tells you your connection is strong enough to broadcast.
Tap this to begin the stream and you’ll see a 3-second countdown. To ensure your broadcast is uninterrupted, ensure there’s a strong wi-fi or 4G signal.
What happens during the broadcast?
There’s slew of potential interaction while you’re broadcasting. You’ll see a viewer count as well as live comments and reactions.
Forthcoming updates will enable you to add filters to the movie and even draw on the display a la Snapchat. These updates are presently rolling out to users.
How can I be sure people will see it?
Of course, if you’re broadcasting live movie, you’ll want people to see it live. All movies are published to your timeline so will also emerge on your friends’ news feeds (depending on your privacy settings).
They’ll be able to tune in by clicking play as they would with a recorded movie. However, there are also ways of enlargening the broadcast’s visibility. You can tag friends you think would be interested when typing the movie description. This will send them an instant notification alerting them to tune in. In the forthcoming update, which you may already have, users will also be able to tap the + icon to invite friends into the movie as it is ongoing.
You can also add trending hashtags like, for example, #LeicesterTitleParade, to increase visibility if you’re publishing publicly.
Another method is to post a Facebook status update telling friends you’re going live at a certain time. Facebook suggests suggesting a day’s notice. It also recommends broadcasting for longer periods of time to reach more people. Facebook Live broadcasts can last up to ninety minutes.
What happens after I end the broadcast?
After you hit the crimson Finish button to end the stream, the movie doesn’t just vanish into the ether. The clip, in its entirety, will be posted to your timeline, so those who may have missed out on the live broadcast can view it at their leisure.
You’ll also be able to save the movie to your camera roll or ensure a higher quality movie is uploaded to the timeline.
As a viewer, how do I find Facebook Live movies?
Naturally, we’re not on Facebook every 2nd of every day (well we shouldn’t be) so it’s helpful to be notified when broadcasts are taking place. You can do this by following the user.
When viewing a live stream you’ll see a Go after button at the bottom right of the display. You’ll then receive a notification every time that person is Live.
You can also turn Live notifications on or off. On a computer click the drop-down arrow on the right, select Settings – Notifications – On Facebook and make sure Live movies is on.
There’s also a fresh Facebook Live interactive map that enables you to tune into ongoing flows around the world, simply by clicking blue dots on the map. While it’s been decried as voyeuristic in some quarters, it’s also useful as you can tune into live flows from news agencies or those experiencing newsworthy events around the world.
Have you used Facebook Live? Let us know in the Comments section below.