This maybe a very stupid Q

[DickTurpin]

My television is a 32inch widescreen LG.

It allows me to select a host of screen modes. One is 4:3. When selected it has the black borders around it-

Does this mean that if I rigged a mame setup to it that it would be good for 4:3. To keep the aspect ratio correct for games but have a bigger display?

Edit: LCD LED

[Jack Burton]

What you're describing will work, but it's generally better to allow your emulator to pillarbox the image.

[Rigby]

Not a stupid question, but leave your TV at 16:9 and let the PC properly form the image.  the PC is smart enough to know the dimensions of the screen it is driving, thanks to VGA, DVI, and HDMI signalling.  If your computer thinks the monitor is 4:3 and everything looks stretched, then yes, change the setting on the TV.

[DickTurpin]

Thanks for the replys. But won't things like Mame and C64/Amiga look odd/pixely when stretched?

[Rigby]

yes, when stretched, but they won't stretch.

your computer will know not to fill a 16:9 screen with a 4:3 image.  Your computer will display the 4:3 stuff in 4:3 even on a 16:9 TV.  the computer will add the black bars on the side if that's how you want to think about it.  You won't need to configure the TV at all, most likely.

[rCadeGaming]

Just be sure to feed the TV its native resolution (1080p most likely), and you will get the best picture, lowest input lag, and avoid aspect ratio problems.  MAME can certainly do as Rigby describes.  I think it will work that way with default settings.  If not, just play with MAME's settings a little.