This series is based upon the Mozart Effect, which is based upon the following principals:

· The use of music and the arts to improve the health of families and communities
· The general use of music to improve memory, awareness, and the integration of learning styles
· The innovative and experimental uses of music to improve listening and attention deficit disorders
· The therapeutic uses of music for mental and physical disorders and injuries
· The collective uses of music for imagery and visualization, to activate creativity, and reduce depression and anxiety

This by no means represents all the uses and aspects, but presents a good overview as to the theories behind the entire series of Baby Einstein videos. A series of images (still and moving), music, sounds, and spoken languages are repeated in an effort to induce the desired results.

There are opponents to this series of videos, ones that feel that introducing children at this young of an age (they're intended for 1 to 18 months) is wrong no matter the content. After watching the reaction of the "borrowed baby" while this video was playing I would disagree. These videos are presented as nothing but the 21st century equivalent of a musical mobile that entertains your child.

Now, on to the specifics concerning this title in the series, Baby Beethoven. Like the other discs in the series, this one contains over an hour or interactive and education video for you baby and toddler. Aimed at the youngest child (recommended 1 to 36 months) this DVD has plenty of visually stimulating images, all set to Beethoven's most popular pieces of music performed by the Baby Einstein orchestra.

The main section of the DVD is the Symphony of Fun section. This is the lengthiest and most entertaining section on the disc. Simple video of colored lights, moving toys and animals are all displayed while being backed by pieces of Beethoven music. The movement, color and music all prove attention getting for even the youngest child. The music is occasionally interrupted by short puppet shows and other cute little interventions. This disc is worth if the versions of Beethoven's most popular symphonies that are included, symphonies 1, 3, 5, and 9.

Like most of the discs, the Concert for Little Ears is present as well. This is a collection of the music, some not included n the video, that is played by the Baby orchestra. Several movements from Beethoven's symphonies are included, as is most of Wellington's Victory, Op. 91. As on the other dics, I have the same complaint. It would be nice to have some sort of visual accompaniment for this section as well. A simple simulated and computer generated light show would be better than the still shot that is on the screen for the entirety. Still, to turn on and leave playing when it's nap time or time to wind down, it's perfect and would definitely justify a cheap DVD player in an infants room. I have to mention that a repeat feature was finally added to this section as well. It has long been my most constant complaint with this series that the video section will repeat but the music would not. That's been fixed and rightly so.

This disc is short compared to some of the others in the series. There are no interactive sections like there are on the Animals and language discs. Perhaps it's because this one is aimed at such a broad age group, but some educational content would have been nice.

Video: The video on these discs is always beautiful. The images have no trouble catching the young, wandering eye. This disc is no exception with it's combination of light and puppets. I would like to have seen a little footage of some animals or other natural objects included for variety.

Audio: The audio is a good stereo mix. It's bright and even at all times with crisp highs and lows. Because of the nature of these discs, the audio is often times better than you'll get on some theatrical releases. The music, even at low volumes, will often swell and fill the room with sound that is never overpowering, but moving.

Extras: There are no extras on this disc.

Overall: The disc has made a big improvement by adding a repeat to the music section, but it has omitted some of the additional content that is often found on these discs. This is one of the shorter discs in the series but it more than makes up for it with the wonderful selection of music by Beethoven, who was sadly missing from the series until now.