We were very impressed at that time, but we were also concerned that the MiniDisc's high price ($600+) and the Digital Compact Cassette format from Philips which was simultaneously introduced at that show (DCC) could hurt the public adoption of the MiniDisc.

DCC ended up dying almost instantly, and while the MiniDisc has managed to survive largely thanks to a technologically voracious culture in Japan, it hasn't caught on in either Europe or North America to a large degree.

It's sad to think that a newer, better, technology has emerged that effectively kills off most of the uses for the MiniDisc, but that's exactly what's begun to happen with the emergence of portable digital MP3 players like the two we profiled from Sony themselves.

The MZ-R90 is one of the best MiniDisc recorders to arrive on North American shores, but we're left wondering if it's truthfully Sony's final magnum opus as the format heads for extinction, thanks to MP3.

Sony's booth had the longest lines, people were clamoring to get a glimpse at the devices that they will likely covet when they arrive sometime this year.

We were impressed with Sony's commitment to the home network, they firmly echoed statements made by Microsoft that the future of the home lies in interconnectivity between devices, and between the house itself and the internet. We wonder how companies like Intel and Microsoft can ever hope to compete head to head with companies like Panasonic and Sony, who seem to have their fingers on the pulse of what everyone truly wants to see brought into their living room.

Who do you think will lead the charge into virtual home networks, PC software and hardware guys, or the people who have already brought us DSS, HDTV, DVD, etc etc.?

One final note about Sony at this year's CES: There was no sign of their 2000-bound mega-game console, the DVD-playing Playstation 2.

Sharky Extreme will be doing an in-depth look at the PS2's technology, and what it means to the future of home entertainment soon.