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A Clockwork Lime
I was browsing through Rigger 3 while tinkering on how to build a remote control deck when something dawned on me.

In both Rigger 3 (it's the older version, admittedly) and the core SR3 rulebook, a 25-nuyen Intercom System (apparently just a speaker and microphone you plug into a port) can allow a rigger to communicate via his datajack with the outside world, either through a speaker or by plugging into a radio. This implies that a Datajack already performs the functions of a Transducer (translating thought into text).

So what's the point of a Transducer if a Datajack already performs that function? Sure, you might be able to say that the RCD itself has the hardware in it for that, but I don't know, there's very little to suggest that since you absolutely need that 25-nuyen item to perform these functions -- if it were built in, why avoid an extra 25-nuyen in a 30,000+ device, especially when the other 975-nuyen that a External Transducer costs is already included?

Am I missing something?
Zazen
QUOTE (A Clockwork Lime)
So what's the point of a Transducer if a Datajack already performs that function? Sure, you might be able to say that the RCD itself has the hardware in it for that

Yup, that's the obvious conclusion, IMO.

QUOTE
if it were built in, why avoid an extra 25-nuyen in a 30,000+ device, especially when the other 975-nuyen that a External Transducer costs is already included?


It's surely not "included" but rather a utilization of systems already in the deck. It's made to translate thoughts into actions and commands, after all.

And it's not already in the deck so that the company saves 20 bucks.
Cray74
QUOTE (A Clockwork Lime)
So what's the point of a Transducer if a Datajack already performs that function?

The difference between a datajack and transducer is the difference between using a cellphone to send a text message and using a cellphone to talk to someone. Transducers allow the transmission of a lot more verbage per free action spent communicating than just a datajack/intercom.
northern lights
i kind of think that the transducer is necessary for these things, but they all have their own version of it. say that the rigger's version only has a certain acceptable syntax much like its own programming language. other things don't mean anything to the deck so they are ignored. same things with the decker. his equipment uses relevant commands and performs said actions. i've always thought that the separately listed tranducer was for non-riggers and deckers to use for communications and such, things without a predefined syntax.

therefore, the included versions are applicable with the functions of the device it is included in, but not necessarily with other devices, hence the advantage and reason for having it separate.

just my thoughts tho...
Rev
Its worse than that. The description of captains chair mode makes it clear that a datajack can do everything that an image link can do as well (layer images of buttons & monitors onto your sensorium). Sure you have to plug it into something to make the images, but they are all coming through the datajack therefore anything you plug into it should be able to display images without any additional cyberware. Worst case you might need a special box that your radio and datajack are connected too. You could even use a remote control deck for that heh, don't have to be a rigger to use one. Just never connect a drone to it.

No essence image link:
datajack
remote control deck 1
cheap breadbox drone
portable computer with screen.
datachip to look at

You jack into the deck, use it to control the drone in captains chair mode, have the drone look at the computer screen, put the datachip in the computer.

Silly stuff.
Connor
I think it's reasonable to assume that devices like that can be external. The advantage of course to having them internal is that you're not tied down to anything. A rigger sitting in a control room has plenty of space for a machine that's capable of doing all that stuff and doesn't need to worry about doing it while sneaking onto a compound.

Your average shadowrunner on the other hand needs these things to be small and concealable and easy to use, thus the need to go with the implants over the external devices in most cases.
RedmondLarry
I'm looking at the Personal Comm Units (part of a Tactical Communication System) in Cannon Companion p. 54. These are radios typically worn on the belt or wrist, which can be controlled either through a datajack or with the included voice-activated wireless-headset.

Here's how they describe the datajack connection: "The units are also DNI-equiped for datajack control."

I believe this means that the following are built into the personal comm unit:

(1) An External DNI that takes a brain signal from a datajack cable and passes control information (frequency, channel, encryption) to the control part of the radio and voice information to
(2) An External Transducer which turns the voice information into electrical pulses representing sound waves.

A decker, using just a datajack and a deck, can "speak" to other people in the matrix. Obviously the deck has a DNI and Transducer built into it. A deck with a Hitcher Port will have an additional DNI and Transducer built into the port. Both the regular deck port and the hitcher port are capable of generating a signal the brain interprets as vision.

Obviously a remote-control deck has a DNI and Transducer built into it, along with the capability to generate a signal the brain interprets as vision.

Yes, Rev, your description looks right.

However, an Image Link can overlay information on your regular vision. I think the deck version replaces it.
Cain
Okay, here's the important thing. With only a datajack, technically a person can only speak a single word as a free action. With a transducer, he can speak a full sentence. This is true regardless of rather or not it's actual speech, or talking over an intercom electronically, or even communication in the matrix.

While datajacks clearly can replicate the effects of a transducer, they're not as fast about it. That's the advantage. It's not much of an edge-- it only becomes useful for dedicated comm specialists-- but it does provide a real bonus.
RedmondLarry
@Cain, I don't see where the Transducer lets you talk faster. I'm looking on M&M P. 19 (Transducer) and don't see that noted. Can you tell me where this is?

As I reread other sections of the books, I think the notation that the Commlink is "DNI-equiped" is wrong. I think the correct wording would be that it is "DNI-modified" for datajack control. This is the wording on M&M p. 38 for what gets done to a device to let it be controlled by Datajack.
Cain
I may be thinking of something from Cybertechnology. It used to be attached to the section about "Allowing characters to communicate mind to mind"; indicating that they could communicate much faster than before. Let me go digging for it.
The White Dwarf
Datajack control doesnt neccessarily mean you can speak over it for the radios. It means you can swap frequencies or adjust volume with mental commands, just like a smartlink lets you eject a clip or adjust fire modes with mental commands. The transducer lets you speak with mental commands and no sound, super useful for SRs.

In all cases I can think of involivng the datajack "duplicating" this effect it deals with simsense in some manner, such as the matrix or rigging. In those cases the users persona is in the machine so to speak, and rather than speak, the impluse to verbalize is translated somehow like the rest of it.

I fail to see how the captains chair mode duplicates the effect of being able to silently communicate at will with the entire team anymore than text displayed on a HUD would. Doesnt mean it doesnt, just that I dont see it. Maybe u can explain it out for me.

A transducer + datajack + DNI-modified comm gear = silent, networked SR team.
Bad news for the bad guys =)
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