Soundcast Systems came in to the office yesterday to show off their upcoming iCast and AudioCast products. They also brought a microwave oven, a 2.4GHz wireless phone, and a frequency analyzer to show how their technology avoids any interference. The iCast serves as a wireless link that can wirelessly connect your iPod to your stereo from as far as 150 feet away.

Sure enough, even with the oven nuking and the phone transmitting there were no hiccups in the music.  This is pretty remarkable for a wireless audio system that uses the crowded, unregulated 2.4GHz band.  PC Mag recently tested the StarTech Airlink, but it had problems with the microwave and phone on. According to the company, its advantage comes from using Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) technology to dynamically change channels and it encounters interference.

The iCast and AudioCast are basically the same product, but the iCast is desigend to work with, and charge, iPods when docked. The AudioCast works with any audio source. The transmitter/receiver combination will cost $299 and you can purchase additional receivers for $129.

The bad news is that the products won't be on shelves until May or even June. The good news is that if you check out the company's Web site you can register to win a free Soundcast system when they start shipping. When review units are available we will get them in the lab and do some more rigorous interference testings.