Gateway AR230 Progressive-Scan DVD Player / Recorder
Good solid product
This is an interesting product. It's a cross between a VHS VCR and a fully functioning digital DVD recorder. <br />The higher priced digital recorders have hard drives built in to give them Tivo features like the ability to record temporarily for many hours, watch a program from the beginning while the unit is still recording the end, instant replay, pause live TV, etc. The fully loaded recorders also have some sort of Tivo-like program guide.<br />The AR-230 has none of these things, but it costs a lot less as well. It's an interesting mix of high and low end VCR features plus an adequate DVD+R/RW recorder. The high end is reflected by the number of different inputs and outputs: Composite, S-Video, Component, Firewire, Coax and Optical audio. The low end is reflected by the timer: Only 5 programs, no Mon-Fri mode, no VCR+.<br />As a simple DVD replacement for a VCR, it fulfills it's function very well. The remote is easy to use. The quality of the DVD image is equal to the quality of the video input. It won't allow you to create you're own chapters, but you can set it to automatically create chapters every 1 - 12 minutes.<br />There are 4 program modes: 1hr, 2hrs, 4hrs & 6hrs. I've tried the 2 and 4 hour modes and both are fine. Choosing from titles on the disc is much easier than scanning a VCR tape for the start of a new program. Also scanning by chapter and fast forward/reverse work very well - a big improvement over tape.<br />The AR-230 records only on \\"Plus\\" media, but reads/plays just about everything. BEWARE: The DVD recordable industry is borderline insane. They're locked in a betamax/vhs type war of competing incompatible formats called \\"Plus\\" and \\"Minus\\". Not only are there different recorders that record each format, but the blank media are different for each format. A \\"Minus\\" disc won't work in a \\"Plus\\" recorder.<br />If you've got a set top DVD player you may want to check which format it supports. If your DVD player only plays \\"Minus\\" discs it won'tbe able to play DVD's you produce from the AR-230.