Ambient Flowers

Granted, you can't smell the over 300 flowers profiled in this virtual garden/reference guide, but you have plenty of other options. As in earlier acclaimed releases such as Rules of the Road (VL-7/02), The 2003 Encyclopedia of Boating Tips (VL-3/03), Cases in Controversy: The 14th Amendment (VL-5/04), and Ambient Art: Impressionism (VL-11/04), Ambient Flowers from Jumby Bay Studios and Vat19 takes full advantage of the interactive features built into the DVD format. Viewers can see a parade of high-definition-filmed peonies, zinnias, irises, roses, tulips, rhododendrons, dahlias (with the option of text identification—including family, genus, and species), backed by a variety of sound options (nature sound effects, guitar, Vivaldi, or general classical music), with the choice of playing all or selecting by color group (yellow/orange, purple, red, white, or pink). In addition, the DVD includes a “Flower Index” (with text screens for each flower, offering information on sun exposure, bloom time, soil pH levels, plant sizes and categories, hardiness ratings, tips, and zone maps—also available in over 150 printable PDF documents on the disc), a “Flower Facts” featurette (a brief overview of various flower tidbits, including a look at the infamous 17th-century “tulipmania” bubble), and computer desktop wallpapers. A beautifully filmed ready-reference guide to flowers, this is recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)