Rating: 
Summary: Easy, Great Value
Review: I love this product. I plugged it in and it worked. The menus were easy to navigate and the remote control was easy to use. I love the value versus others on the market and I prefer to buy brands that I trust. This is a great product, everyone should buy one.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding DVD Recorder !!! Outstanding Value!!!
Review: I purchased the Gateway AR-230 DVD Recorder a month ago and I loved it so much that I just got another one for another room. I have been transferring old Beta and VHS tapes onto DVD round the clock and I have been getting great results. My 20 year-old tapes look fantastic as new DVDs!
A few pointers:
1. Use 4X R+ media. Verbatim and Ridata have given me optimal results.
2. Finalize DVDs before playing them on other machines. You will be able to view non-finalized DVDs on the Gateway, but you may need to finalize them by simply clicking Disc Tools on the remote control before playing DVDs on other machines.
3. Avoid using the 6-hour recording setting when copying from older Beta or VHS tapes. I tried the 6-hour setting four times using different cables and wires. One tape turned out ok, but the sound and video were out of sync on the rest and they ended up looking like badly dubbed movies where characters speak without moving their lips. If someone knows how to fix this problem, please pass that on.
This is a great machine that has seen constant use for a month. I have burned over 50 discs on the 4-hour setting without getting a single coaster.
Rating:
Summary: Not so bad!
Review: I saw many negative reviews about this product. However, from
my experience, it is not so bad. If you have trouble to record,
I would like to suggest check followings.1. Check your DVD media (at least 4x and should be +R/RW).
I found some information that LiteOn 4x dvd burner was used
for this product. So, you have to use at leat 4x media.
Right?
2. Check the firmware version (the newest version can be found
at the manufacturer's homepage).
The firmware version is just like OS version. The newer
firmware always has less problems.
3. Don't power off during recording or some ~ing
operation. (Stopping, recording, etc)
4. If you use +R media, you should finalize before play on
other DVDs. PROS:
1.Low price(^^) but not bad image quality.
2.Built in tuner.
3.Firmware upgradable! CONS:
1.Not so flexible timer functions and not support the codes.
2.I doesnt support subtitle function when you record
TV programs. (When you play DVD, it is fine.)
3.Too short title. It may be less than 7 characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Great product at great price
Review: I tried to order this through Gateway--bad mistake. I FINALLY got one from amazon. I had it hooked up and running in less than 30 mins, and I am not a tech guru. It works great for putting my DVR shows from Dish network onto dvd. We now have the 5th season of the sopranos and 2nd season of nip/tuck and they aren't even out yet! We also put pay per movies to dvd.
It also works great for transfering home movies and vhs. It doesn't work for actually copying dvd movies from dvd to dvd recorder b/c of copyright protection.
No complaints, it works great. Complaints on this site are usually from people that don't know what they are doing. We are using Memorex DVD+R and DVD+RW from Wal Mart.
Rating: 
Summary: Junk
Review: I use it a player not a recorder it is not a good buy
Rating:
Summary: Great little unit - But..
Review: I'm pretty happy with the unit after about a month. It's very easy to use, and the quality of the recordings seem good. (I've only tried it in SP mode).
Something I would point out, and I never thought to check, is with all of the inputs, none are for digital sound. Since most of what I plan to use it for, it doesen't matter, it's okay for me, but be aware.
Also, the user manual could be MUCH better. Several functions are not explained at all. What is explained is VERY basic.
Other than that, it's a nice one for the price.
Rating:
Summary: Best Buy
Review: Let me tell you about this great DVD recorder! The playback picture is super clear; hard to tell what's original and what's been recorded.
The sound is also very nice.
Earlier this year, I ordered an off-brand DVD recorder and had to sell it quickly because of the horrible playback.
But, the Gateway was well worth every penny and it was very reasonable in costs!
I give this Gateway DVD a 10!
Rating:
Summary: It's simply a better value
Review: My AR230 was purchased as a replacement for a Panasonic DVD recorder that died on me. I use it mostly for time shifting TV programs. Quality is very good on the 1 and 2 hour settings good on the 4 hour setting and just slightly better than good VCR on the 6 hour setting. It's got a simple menu system that even got my wife recording some of her soaps. I've only recorded camcorder to DVD-R using the firewire port twice but the quality was good and it was easy to do. Be sure to finalize DVD-R's so they will play on other DVD players. I use brand name media and have not had a bad disc yet. This unit doesn't have a hard drive or the bells and whistles of some of the high-end units but at less than $300 it's a way better value than the others I considered. If you need a good replacement for your old VCR this is it.
Rating:
Summary: JUNK
Review: Since day one this machine has functioned poorly. Most DVD's won't playback, if they do the system freezes (no FF, RW or chapter skip). This is not a ventilation problem either. The recording functions have been fine but if this is going to be your only means of DVD playback skip it.
Rating:
Summary: Has been great!
Review: So far this dvd recorder has been great. We have purchased two of these. One from Amazon and one from Gateway. The one we purchased from Amazon does have the feature to turn off the macrovision and you can legally make back up copies of all the copyrighted dvds & vhs tapes that you own. The same unit we bought from Gateway.com for $100 less does not have the macrovision on/off feature but it did have the region free option. To see if your unit has the "Macrovision On/Off" feature on your remote press "Setup" then highlight "exit", while "exit" is highlighted enter "2960" and press enter. Another menu should open with the option to select your region code or make it region free and another option to turn macrovision on or off.
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