Polycrystalline BaTiO3 thin films were grown solvothermally on Ti-covered substrates in ethanol, distilled water and 1,4-butanediol at 80 degrees C, 150 degrees C and 200 degrees C. Films grown in organic media are finer grained and required more stringent crystallization conditions due to lower solubility of constituent ions. Solvothermal films exhibit less severe proton incorporation. Solvothermal films grown close to the boundary crystallization conditions tend to have higher frequency dispersion and loss tangents. Dielectric properties of BaTiO3 films grown in ethanol are comparable to that of hydrothermal films. Butanediol-derived films have lower dielectric constants than the aqueous equivalent. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.