The TD seies of translator droids are far more primitive than an MTD unit. As a result, they are also considerably cheaper. (It should also be noted that the original MTD unit was created by C3PO, Han Solo, and Chewbacca for the Wookiee Jedi Lowbacca when he entered the Jedi Academy. As such, MTD units should be unavailable prior to 20 years after the battle of Endor.)
Translator droids have been on the market for a long time, and few have been as widely produced--or as rapidly abandoned--as the TD series. Like the MTD protocol droid, no copyright is held for the TD series. As such, they are often cobbled together by do-it-yourselfers and also produced by numerous small companies.
The most basic TD series droid is the TD-01. Little more than a human-range audio sensor, very primitive droid brain, vocabulator, and translation matrix worn on a belt clip, the TD-01 can barely be considered to be a droid. It has two data ports to accomadate specially programed data cards each of which contain a linguistics database for a single language. These cards may be changed for other language cards by taking a move- or attack-equivalent action. Everything said near the TD-01 in one language will be translated word-for-word into the other language. Greedo uses a similar translator in the original novel of A New Hope.
The TD-09 is a considerable improvement over the TD-01. Although it still relies on a pair of linguistics database cards, it is at least capable of movement via repulsorlift and is capable of some rudimentary thought. It still lacks any droid personallity, however, and only replies when spoken to or when fulfilling its duty as a translator. The TD-09 includes a small homing beacon to be worn by the droid's master. It obeys orders only if they are issued by the person wearing the beacon, and follows them faithfully. The Wookie Rorworr in the Invasion of Theed boxed set is accompanied by a TD-09 unit.
TD-01 Series: Worn translator droid, Diplomat 1; Init +0; Defense 11 (-1 Dex, +2 size); Spd -- ; VP/WP -/3; Atk --; SV Fort --, Ref --, Will --; SZ T; Rep 0; Str 4, Dex 8, Con 3, Int 6, Wis 10, Cha 8.Equipment: vocabulator.
Skills: none
Unspent Skill Points: 8
Feats: none
Cost: 300 credits, plus 2 25 credit linguistic database cards (required to use)
Equipment: vocabulator.
Skills: none
Unspent Skill Points: 8
Feats: none
Cost: 450 credits, plus 2 linguistics database cards (required to use)
