14 DAY TRIAL // Paragon has succeeded in making a name on the software market and their best products are designed for disk management. Using only Paragon software you can resize your disk volumes without restarting the machine, create new ones, backup the data, securely wipe them of all the data etc.
Some of the software has been tested by Softpedia and the rating was above the average. Hard Disk Manager Pro was my favorite as it comes equipped with a backup tool that will help keep safe important data before proceeding to partitioning.
But besides all those wiping, backup, slicing and dicing your HDD, Paragon also came up with a CD/DVD recording instrument designed to write the digital data to CDs or DVDs. The utility's name is Easy CD/DVD Recorder and it is offered in full version for a price of $24. The limitations imposed by the developer do not allow you to properly test the application's burning engine. Other than this, everything is functional.
I have to admit that after reviewing HDD Manager Pro, I am a bit disappointed by the interface of the application as there is no color and everything seems a bit gloomy. The only exception is to be noticed in the images and the launch splash screen that prove that the team of designers is filled with professionals.
There are two modes to be activated when working with the software: basic and expert. Even if you are a newbie and have never burned a disc before, I recommend the expert mode as it will give you the chance to fix the disc write or erase speed. And there is nothing difficult to set. This way, you will be in control.
The only options available are dedicated to creating a data disc and erasing it. The wizard interface will guide you through all the steps until the desired operation is finished. The program will automatically detect all the writing devices you have installed on the computer, choose the drive you want to use for writing or erasing the disc and proceed to the next window.
If Expert mode is activated, you will be able to make some settings before proceeding to the actual task. In case of erasing the storage device, the user can select between the two erasing modes (full erase or quick erase) and enable ejecting the disc after the operation is complete. Speed can also be set in this window and - depending on the speed properties supported by the device in the drive - you can make your selection.
When it comes to writing data on the disc, the options are different and you get to select the filesystem type (ISO 9660, ISO 9660+Joliet UNICODE name or UDF). Using the ISO filesystems will allow you create bootable discs according to El Torito standard (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/167685).
The Add files window is very easy to use as all the options are listed in the right part of the window. The user can add single files of entire folders. The size of the entire data added to be burned on the disc is displayed at the bottom. You cannot miss it as the color displaying it is extremely loud.
Burning options window lets you select the mode (track at once or session at once), create a multisession disc, simulate the burning for testing purposes, write raw data, enable power calibration and choose the desired speed.
The final window in both erasing and writing the disc gives the user the necessary information regarding the process of the operation, the time remaining until completion and the possibility to put all the info into a log. Unfortunately, this window will remain inactive in the testing version as both writing and erasing are part of the restrictions imposed by the author for the trial version.
The Good
Anyone can use it due to the wizard interface available. Easy CD/DVD Recorder from Paragon supports creating multisession discs and setting the speed for both erasing and writing.
It supports using it in two modes (expert and basic), both of them very easy to work with.
The Bad
The restrictions applied to the trial version are too rigid. The user should get a chance at testing a disc burned with Easy CD/DVD Recorder from Paragon. I think a limited data amount or a restricted number of uses would have been a better idea.
The interface does not rise to the standards of Paragon HDD Manager Pro and looks rather Windows 98-ish.
The application is pretty ?stiff? and support for Blu Ray or for creating audio discs is not available.
The Truth
From what I saw, the application is good. It offers the basic options for a basic burning. Despite the higher price ($29) and the fact that it does not display an estimation time for finishing the job, I would choose Ashampoo's Burning Studio 6 over Paragon's Easy CD/DVD Recorder anytime.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
