Gateway AR-230 DVD Recorder

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DVD Recorder

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Gateway AR-230

Write
~~CDR~~
~~CDRW~~
~~DVD-R~~
~~DVD-RW~~
~~DVD-R DL~~
DVD+R
DVD+RW
~~DVD+RDL~~
~~DVD-RAM~~

Read*

CDR
CDRW
DVD-R
~~DVD-RW~~
~~DVD-R DL~~
DVD+R
DVD+RW
~~DVD+R DL~~
DVD-RAM?

*based on user reports.

Desktop, Firewire

$350

6.2/10
17 votes
Read 20
comments
(18616 views)

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DVD Player features:
Video formats:
~~DivX~~ JPG DVD-JPG
Audio formats:
MP3 DVD-MP3 WMA
Other features:
Progressive Scanning

Visit manufacturer's site
Region code free hack

DVD Media comments for this DVD Recorder (click on the link to read the comments):
1 GQ (Great Quality) 2.4xDVD+RW (INFODISCA01) comments, 0 good, 0 mixed, 1 poor.
1 GQ (Great Quality) 8xDVD-R (OPTODISCR008) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
1 Verbatim (DataLifePlus) 8xDVD+R (MCC.....003) comments, 1 good, 0 mixed, 0 poor.
Post your DVD Media comments here

Comments

20 comments, Showing 1 to 20 comments

ctoys from United States reported June 29, 2008:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW?	DVD-R? ~~DVD-RW~~ ~~DVD-R DL~~	Few DVD+R DVD+RW ~~DVD+R DL~~	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	6 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
The Gateway AR-230 I owned purchased early in 2004 has worked for the most part to date. It is buggy though and on several occassions I've had to reload the firmware to fix issues. Seems that power surges or power downs might adversely affect the recorder somehow. The oldest and first firmware is buggy, so I'd recommend v1139 which still has Macrovision and Region free on the hidden menu. Gateway no longer offers this download, probably because the Macrovision is removed in the newer versions. I'm just lucky to have an older version. You can install v1139 on top of newer versions. Without the the region and Macrovision hacks, I would rate the recorder as poor since it is very picky about the media brand and type. Also some percentage of the time, the recording simply fails to be readable. This may be tied to the sensitivity to the media, which has to be near perfect for the recorder to work properly.

dorislb from United States reported March 14, 2006:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	over 1 year	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I ripped dvd's for a year now with mine for over a year, then the last time I was doing a copy, I went to open the tray and close to load the copied movie and the Gateway 230 comes up with "NO DISK" error. No matter what dvd (store bought or whatever, it won't do any but display message). Any help out there or do I have to trash it? Please post if you know anything. I just bought the Liteon LVW-5115 GHC+ at Costco for $119 but I can return it if I can fix my Gateway.

gshelley61 from United States reported June 09, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	30 days	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
The Gateway AR-230 is really a Lite-On LVW-5001. Regardless of the series you have, the firmware can be updated to the most recent version for the Lite-On LVW-5001 (and hacked, of course). It may take several steps to do this, and the unit will display itself as a Lite-On after it is done. Go here and follow the instructions for updating the Lite-On firmware: http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/download/index.asp Before loading the most recent firmware version, run it through the automatic hacking application - download that here: http://ilohacker.tripod.com/ I've updated both an early version (R0) of the AR-230 and a later version (R3) this way. The early R0 version must be updated with Gateway's newer firmware prior to going on to the Lite-On firmware updates. The Gateway firmware is here: http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?st=pn&param=2521012

gshelley61 from United States reported May 23, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	30 days	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
The Gateway AR-230 is really a Lite-On LVW-5001. Regardless of the series you have, the firmware can be updated to the most recent version for the Lite-On LVW-5001 (and hacked, of course). It may take several steps to do this, and the unit will display itself as a Lite-On after it is done. Go here and follow the instructions for updating the Lite-On firmware: http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/download/index.asp Before loading the most recent firmware version, run it through the automatic hacking application - download that here: http://ilohacker.tripod.com/ I've updated both an early version (R0) of the AR-230 and a later version (R3) this way. The early R0 version must be updated with Gateway's newer firmware prior to going on to the Lite-On firmware updates. The Gateway firmware is here: http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/search.asp?st=pn&param=2521012

Rock Blass from United States reported January 25, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	360 days	5 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Can Anyone help me with this problem....recently I shiped my Gateway ar-230(R0-2520516) to gateway for repair and was shiped an updated unit(R3-2521671). I can not DISABLE the MACROVISION on this unit. On the previous unit (R0-2520516)the hidden menu allowed me to disable the macrovision by entering a code(2960). Can Anyone help me DISABLE the MACROVISION for this newer version (R3-2521671)

craig harris from United States reported January 20, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW	DVD-R? DVD-RW DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs SVCDTracks?	MP3 WMA CVD?	210 days	10 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
this is a great dvd recorder i have recorded 68 dvd+r and it has not failed on any.you must finilize the dvdor it wont work on other dvd players they fail to explain this in the book.

Stan Sieler from United States reported January 16, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	360 days	3 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
usually works, but... 1) sucky user interface 2) only holds 5 items to timer record ... far too few 3) fairly often (10%?) fails to record something requested via timer record ... with no useful reason being recorded. 4) sometimes (2 out of last 6 DVD+RW disks) fails to properly close a disk (?), rendering it unplayable on itself or on other DVD drives (standalone or on a PC) 5) doesn't understand concept of "Weekday" for recording frequency (has: Once, Daily (7 days a week) and Weekly). Note: be sure to download current firmware, version 1163 from Gateway and install it.

Rock Blass from United States reported January 15, 2005:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	360 days	3 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I was reluctant at first to share my views about this device(Gateway ar-230) but decided to share them. Maybe my views will save someone else the high level of disappointment that i have had with this device(Gateway ar-230). I have spented countless hours recording with this device only to have the media to somehow become corrupt and unreadable. I am very disappointed with this device and the Gateway support team who offered to "service" the unit only to have the same situation occur after waiting 14 days the device(Gateway ar-230)to return. Signed a VERY Disappointed (and former) Cusomter.

dave from United States reported August 09, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R Few DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	60 days	6 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
I've had 2(out of 12)Fuji DVD+RW discs that had a segment that would not play, even though the other segments on the same disc played fine.

bill from United States reported July 19, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
same issue as noted already here- cant record reliably thr the 1394 - locks up when you try to stop. gateway is sending me another one and says it has no record of this problem. works great thru other inputs.

Brew from United States reported May 31, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	8 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Had this unit for about a month now. Got a heck of a deal from HSN, under $200 delivered. It does a fantastic job of converting my old VHS tapes onto DVD. I've used primarily the 2 hour mode for most all recordings. It looks as good as the original, IMO. WOuld like a few more features such as being able to add a more letters in the titles, & faster dsic tools. Overall I am very satisfied with the unit.

Lyle Hensley from United States reported May 01, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
FYI There is new firmware on gateway's support web site, for the AR230. easy to download and install.

BobB from United States reported April 12, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	1 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
After using the AR-230 for a month I returned it in frustration. It averaged 25% failed record sessions on Memorex DVD+RW disks. The system would occasionally be unable to format new disks, or stop recording in the middle of a session and leave corrupted files. The disks themselves could be recovered (with difficulty) on the Sony drive in my computer and then work well there, so I don't think the media was bad. The system generally was easy and intuitive to use as any VHS system I have had but reliability was nothing short of terrible. I could have loved this machine if only I could count on it to actually work. Alas, it was not to be.

mr biscuit from United States reported March 21, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	9 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Just like the LiteOn LWV-5001, this recorder has a secret menu to disable copy protection. This means that Macrovision protected VHS tapes and DVD can be copied directly to DVD+R. This may be the only recorder to have this (undocumented) feature. The instructions for this hack are given in the DVD hacks section of DVDrhelp.com

Jeff Junig from United States reported February 16, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R ~~DVD+RW~~ DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Does not work with Optodisc +RW disc

mdac from United States reported February 15, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	4 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
Returning this product. This is the message I sent to Gateway: The DVD player is not broken or malfunctioning as far as I can tell, but there are a few issues I have with the product: 1. Slow response time. When I press eject, it actually takes much longer than I would expect to respond. Sometimes, I would press eject a second time, thinking that it didn't take the first time. Then, the drive would eject and immediately close (because I pressed "eject" twice). This became very annoying. 2. Very Loud. After getting a disc in, it would spin VERY loudly. We have to play ou movies quietly because our two-year-old son is sleeping in the next room. Since the player is so loud, we can't hear the movie at all. 3. Menu customization is awkward. I tried customizing the titles for each of my recordings and WOW... I couldn't get anything done. The menu for finding letters was VERY strange. The layout wasn't QWERTY, nor was it alphabetical (from left to right). I figured out that it was alphabetical (up to down)... sometimes. For example, the "S" was in a place where I wouldn't expect it to be. Overall, it's a decent product but for the price I paid for it, I would not expect these issues.

Palfy from United States reported February 09, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR CDRW?	DVD-R DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R DVD+RW DVD+R DL?	VCD XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3 CVD?	N/A	10 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
This DVD Recorder simply rocks! The only downside: It cannot playback DivX files from a CD or DVD. Otherwise, it can handle almost any task you through at it. Pretty good recording quality in SP mode (2 hours), even when copying the files to a CD and then converting them to DivX. Have not yet tested the EP mode (4 hours)

WarDaddy from United States reported January 25, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	No rating
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
This unit is simple to use. We are using it to archive our library of home videos. I have tried capturing to my computer then burning to vcd's before. The Gateway is easier, faster and creates perfect recordings of the original video. A great buy at $300.

yumagah from Other reported January 02, 2004:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	7 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
After three days of testing it looks pretty good. Video capture quality is excellent in 2 hrs mode - no artifacts at all, archival quality. I'm using +RW disks only and copying them to +R on PC with DVDdecrypter, ISO Mode. This way I don't worry about making coasters. Surprising some recent DVD releases do not activate Macrovision protection, e.g. Cowboy Bebop movie. This makes it possible to record clips from certain commercial DVDs. Most Hollywood movies trigger protection however. For playback it has good features but not as good as some cheap players. Plays VCD, but China standard SVCD plays with some occasional pauses. Plays MP3 files with JPG slideshow at same time - no way to turn off pictures. Does not see or play raw MPEG files.

Gary from Other reported December 30, 2003:
Read features:						Time used:	Rating:
CDR? CDRW?	DVD-R? DVD-RW? DVD-R DL?	DVD+R? DVD+RW? DVD+R DL?	VCD? XVCD? XSVCD?	SVCD? SVCDSubs? SVCDTracks?	MP3? CVD?	N/A	5 of 10
DVD-RAM?
Comments:
The unit is very simple to use and the menus are bette than I have seen on others. It is limited to do just DVD+R and DVD+RW, but for a quick record to disc it is nice. One major problem is the firewire connection to a camera!!! It works for videos under 5 minutes, but on a longer one it renders the disc unusable when it tries to finalize it. I have tried the latest firmware 1139 and it is with this firmware I noticed the problem. Not sure if the old firmware has the same problem. Gateway is aware of this and they say they will fix it??? The same tape and video works fine if you use the RCA jacks, but the firewire is nice becasue it will also control the camera. I will update if they indeed fix the problem.

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Original Equipment Manufacturer.

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The manufacturer of the main chipset the DVD writer/recorder is based on.

Write support / Read support
DVD-R = Works
~~DVD-R~~ = Is not supported
DVD-R? = Not tested

Connection
FireWire = Computer desktop DVD Writer with IEEE 1394/FireWire/i.Link connection (some standalone desktop dvd recorder supports this also but then it is usually to connect your DV camera to the recorder)

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