CommTech Readers

  

1st Generation

In 1999, Hasbro released the first generation CommTech reader.  This reader was designed to play sounds & phrases when the user swiped a chip across the face.  This technology is known as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification).  The technology is impressive, but the sound quality left a lot to be desired.  This reader was known as the CommTech reader in the United States & a CommTalk reader in various parts of Europe.  It is able to play the production & non-production CommTech chips.  It will also store the data of up to four different chips to be replayed without the chip in hand & has two preprogrammed sound effect buttons.

United States (CommTech)

European (CommTalk)
 


CommTech Reader Proof Card

2nd Generation:

In 2000, Hasbro planned to release the second generation CommTech reader.  Due to high production costs, poor Episode I sales & technical difficulties, Hasbro chose to cancel this product.  Some of the difficulties included the backwards compatibility of the new chip design with the old reader.  The old reader was unable to play each line in order, but at random.  There are a few prototype models that were made.  This new design is capable in playing the production & non-production CommTech chips.  It will also store the data of up to two different chips to be replayed without the chip in hand.  Built for expandability, it has a removable sound effects cartridges that contains eight preprogrammed sounds.  These cartridges were themed by different planets & scenes.  This reader was also designed to insert a cardboard backdrop that could be cut from the package of each sound cartridge.

CommTech 4.0 Battle Station (Unproduced)

  

Removable Sound Effects Cartridge (Unproduced)
 

Stages of Production:

Foam Core Mockup #1 Foam Core Mockup #2
   
Foam Core Mockup #3 Foam Core Mockup #4
   
Gen. 2 Reader Case #1 Gen. 2 Reader Case #2
   
Gen. 2 Reader Case #3 Gen. 2 Reader Case #4 (S.L.A.)
    
Gen. 2 Reader (Non-Working Test Shot) NEW Gen. 2 Reader (Working Test Shot)
Gen. 2 Reader Front (Model) Gen. 2 Reader Front 2 (Model)
   
Gen. 2 Reader Back (Model)
 
Early Design Foam Core
Mockup Sound Cartridge #1		 Early Design Foam Core
Mockup Sound Cartridge #2
   
Foam Core Mockup Sound Cartridge #3 Mockup Sound Cartridge Package
   
Sound Cartridge (Test Shot) Sound Cartridge (Final Product)

Additional Sound Cartridges:

In addition to the sound cartridge that was to become available with the CommTech reader, there were to be eight more sound cartridges (two sets of four-cartridge packs) that were planned for release.

#1 Pod Race #2 Tatooine #3 Swamp #4 Deep Sea
 
#5 Land Battle One #6 Land Battle Two  #7 Space Battle One #8 Space Battle Two
Sounds Include:
 		 Sounds Include:
 		 Sounds Include:
 		 Sounds Include:
 
l Tank Rumble l Gungan Battle Horn l Trade Federation Ship Sounds l Droid Fighter Swarm
l Tank Fire l Gungan Power Ball Throw & Impact l Droid Fighter Fly-by l Battle Sequence
l Shield Generator Hum l Jar Jar Power Ball Cart Incident l Naboo Starfighter Fly-by l Naboo Firing
l Shield Absorb Impact l Tank Destroyed l Naboo Starfighter Destroyed l Naboo Starfighter Startup
l Fulumpaset Cries l Kaadu Injury l Trade Federation Ship Destroyed l Control Panel Activate
l Fambaa Walk & Grunts l Gungan Battle Cry l Laser Cannons l Ship Blast Off
l Battle Droid Rack Deployment l Gungan Catapult Launcher l Ambient Space Sounds l Warning Alarms
l Wheel Droid Roll-by l Anakin In Enemy Hangar
 
   
 

unproduced commtech ctc2 carded prototype testshot test shot unreleased




 

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