I dont use rocketlauncher, but black bars are correct, there is probably a setting in rocket launcher to "keep aspect ratio" or similar,un check that if you want weird stretched arcade games.
I would love to come across a old TV. The last flat i moved into i found a 14inch one hidden in the wardrobe/closet.
Pissed me off that peeps would leave that in a flat i was moving into, and hidden in the cupboard. Now i cant find a small CRT for looking, damn you hindsight!!!
The PDF viewer is just a option in the game details menu, just like the view images, and view video full screen options. It doesn't interfere with anything, but it's there if you want it.
If every other retroarch system works and the games load fine from Retroarch itself i would suggest that you possibly have a typo or are pointing to the wrong core. Can you post a pic showing your associated platforms window for retroarch showing the PS1 section please.
No probs, just bare that in mind for future reference. You can name your platforms anything you like, but it always has to match "exactly" in the emulator sections or Launchbox won't no what emulator to launch for the platform.
The yearly license is just that yearly, it will not automatically upgrade to a forever after 3 years, the only way to get the forever is to spend the $30 to upgrade to it.