Geometry adjustment question

[Graboid]

Hi, I have Panasonic CRT (ct-27l8sg) that is 27". I'm hoping I can adjust the TV's picture size down to 25" to fit a bezel. I went into the TV's service menu thinking this would be the easiest way, but there is no option for adjusting horizontal size . I also don't see any potentiometers inside the TV that might adjust horizontal width (Here is the service manual if you'd like to take a look: http://goo.gl/No7UGD)

So I'm wondering, if I can't physically adjust the screen size, would I be able to make something like VMMaker force this screen size? If so, can this also be extended to console emulation, frontend, etc. or only MAME?

I have Windows 7 and an HD 6670 if that helps. Thanks!

[Paradroid]

Chuck the bezel in the bin and the use the full 27 inches, I say!

You can definitely achieve what you're hoping for. Many consumer TVs don't include a H-size adjustment (analog or digital) so VMMaker is your friend in these cases. In my experience, V-size is always present, H-position almost always, V-position usually and H-size sometimes. Lucky that everything except V-size can be adjusted by tinkering with modelines.

[Graboid]

That's very helpful. I just wanted to know if it was theoretically possible before I invested too much time worrying about it. 27" would be easier, but this is a family project and we've unanimously agreed that it should be the original size

I found another cheap TV at Goodwill today and it didn't have H-size either (despite a very similar model having it on Youtube )

I'm going to spend most of the weekend researching this stuff so that I'll be semi-competent when I start tinkering. When all is said and done I'll update my post for anyone else who may have a similar circumstance in the future.

[big10p]

You should be able to adjust horizontal size by adjusting the horizontal linearity coil.

[adder]

You should be able to adjust horizontal size by adjusting the horizontal linearity coil.

a lot of tv's dont have that option unfortunately, particularly later models
most of the crt tv's i have owned in the past havn't allowed for adjusting the horizontal size via the service menu or internally
but as paradroid mentioned, you can introduce borders if you wish using the groovymame/vmmaker programs

[big10p]

You should be able to adjust horizontal size by adjusting the horizontal linearity coil.

a lot of tv's dont have that option unfortunately, particularly later models
most of the crt tv's i have owned in the past havn't allowed for adjusting the horizontal size via the service menu or internally
but as paradroid mentioned, you can introduce borders if you wish using the groovymame/vmmaker programs

In that case I agree GM settings is the way to go.

[Graboid]

We opened both TVs, but we didn't see anything that resembled a pot or coil for horizontal width. We weren't exactly sure where to look, but that's probably a good sign we shouldn't be poking around the innards of a TV for too long. The upside is I now have two TVs in case one craps out or doesn't play nice with the PC.

Let me get one thing absolutely straight. The GM/VMMaker settings can be applied to any emulator that is compatible, right? So, for example, I could launch a frontend at 25", and launch snes, dreamcast, or n64 in 25"? I'm still figuring out how it works and I'm sure once I actually get it installed it'll be clearer.