Custom Bezels

How to Create Custom Bezels for MPV-SW-Capture

This guide explains how to design and use your own bezels (borders) for MPV-SW-Capture, especially for NSO and retro games.

1. Requirements

• Image editor (GIMP, Photoshop, Krita, etc.).
• Canvas size: 1920x1080 pixels.
• Export format: PNG.
• Basic familiarity with layers and guides in your editor.

2. Understanding the Layout

• The center area is where the game image will appear.
• The outer area is where you place your bezel artwork (frame, decorations, logos, etc.).
• The game area must remain fully visible: avoid covering it with opaque elements.
• For NSO, each app (NES, SNES, GB, etc.) uses a specific internal rectangle where the image will be drawn.

2.1 NSO Internal Game Area (Coordinates)

For NSO bezels, use these internal rectangles (given as X Y WIDTH HEIGHT in pixels, within a 1920x1080 canvas):

• NES
  302 28 1316 1026

• SNES / GEN 4:3 / CRT
  298 36 1322 1008

• GB / GBC (Default Size)
  398 36 1124 1008

• GBA
  240 60 1440 960

• N64 / GameCube (4:3)
  240 0 1440 1080

You should use these values to position the game rectangle in your editor, so your bezel aligns correctly with the image shown by MPV-SW-Capture.
NOTE: This values are from NSO app without "Show control in game" option activated. To disable that option, go to the NSO app → before selecting a game go to the right side menu → Settings → Control Display → turn off “Show controls in game”.

3. Creating the Bezel Image

1. Create a new 1920x1080 canvas in your image editor.
2. Decide which NSO/system the bezel is for (NES, SNES, GB, etc.).
3. Create a guide rectangle using the coordinates above:
   • Set the rectangle position (X, Y).
   • Set the width and height as indicated.
4. This rectangle represents the exact area where the game video will appear.
5. Design your bezel around this rectangle:
   • Place borders, decorations, logos, etc., outside the game area.
   • Make sure you don’t cover the game rectangle with opaque elements.
6. When you are happy with the design:
   • Hide or delete the guide/rectangle layer (if it’s visible).
   • Export the final bezel as a PNG.

4. Adding the Bezel to MPV-SW-Capture

1. Copy your PNG file into the bezels folder of MPV-SW-Capture.
2. If you are replacing an existing bezel:
   • Use the same file name as the original PNG.
3. If you are adding a new bezel:
   • Open menu.conf in a text editor.
   • Add a new entry pointing to your new bezel file (following the format of the existing entries).
   • Save the file.

After this, your bezel should appear as a selectable option in the menu.

5. Testing Your Bezel

1. Start MPV-SW-Capture.
2. Open the menu and select your new bezel.
3. Open the corresponding NSO app and game.
4. Check that:
   • The game image fits correctly in the intended game area.
   • Borders and decorations are not covering important parts of the image.
5. If something looks misaligned:
   • Go back to your editor.
   • Adjust the artwork around the same rectangle (do not change the internal rectangle for that NSO).
   • Export again and retest.

6. Tips & Best Practices

• Create one base PSD/XCF/KRA file per system (NES, SNES, GBA, etc.) with guides already set to the correct rectangle.
• Use layers for:
  • Background / frame.
  • Logos / text.
  • System-specific decorations.
• For NSO, remember to disable the “Show controls in game” overlay so your crops and bezels use the full game area.
• Keep important text away from the extreme corners if you also plan to use crops or stretch modes (for example, 4:3 → 16:9).

By following these steps and coordinates, your custom bezels should align perfectly with the NSO image inside MPV-SW-Capture.