27" TV in 25" Bezel?

[Graboid]

Hi guys, I have a 27" CRT that I'm planning on using in a cab with crt_emudriver and GroovyMAME. I'll also be playing console emulators up to and including Dreamcast. I'm wondering if there is some way I could "shrink" the picture of the TV down to fit a 25" bezel (we're constructing a replica of a Midway fighter cab). In other words, have the bezel come in over the edges of the 27" TV, giving the appearance of a 25" monitor. Is something like this even possible in conjunction with GM and crt_emu? I didn't know if this would mess with native res or anything like that.

It's not a huge deal if it's not. Having a 27" monitor wouldn't be the first compromise we've made on the cabinet. And yes, I have scoured the city looking for a 25" component TV that is also curved. They're hard to find.

Thanks for the help!

[nipsmg]

I think you may be able to adjust the screen geometry / overscan from within your TV's service menu to shrink the picture down overall.  I would ensure you record whatever the settings are on the TV prior to messing with it, but I think something like this is your best bet.

[Graboid]

Thanks. I'd wondered if that would work, but I didn't know how big of a change you could make to a picture size using the service menu. That wouldn't mess with the way resolutions are projected? Sorry, A/V isn't really my specialty, especially when it comes to older TVs.

I'll definitely give it a try whenever the remote for the TV arrives. In the meantime I'll be researching the topic more.

[nipsmg]

Honestly, it's not my specialty by a long shot either, it's just the initial approach I would take.

Im fairly certain you can use things like Layouts in MAME, and apps like powerstrip to do all kinds of crazy things with resolutions and how you display pictures.  Take a look at this project: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,149109.0.html He had to display only in the center of a vertically rotated 46in tv, and he managed it using layouts and powerstrip I believe.  There might be some good tips in there as well.