I built a HTPC using an 8400gs S-Video port to display on my old RCA TV in my room. The top and side bar cannot be seen. Switching resolutions doesn't help either.
I'm running Nvidia driver 304
41 Answer
Maybe setting the screen size in xorg.conf smaller than the display size would help, i don't know if it works but it may be worth a try. First copy your /etc/X11/xorg.conf to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup so in case it doesn't work you can copy it back and all will be as it was.
then from terminal: gksu gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
Since I don't know the layout of your xorg.conf I can only give you an example. I persume your TV runs in 800x600 resolution. I also don't have any nVidia card to test here so I don't know if it will support this option. The option that could do the trick is the line Virtual {width} {height}. The rest of the code here is just an indication to show where this line should be placed Don't blindly copy any of this but use it as a guidance.
Section "Screen" Identifier "Screen0" Device "Device0" Monitor "Monitor0" DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Virtual 640 480 Depth 24 EndSubSection
EndSection
