TTS actually does a low level re-format of the ecm when it overwrites the OEM calibration. This means that it has complete control over all of the ECM's functions although we are not allowed access to all of it. PV cannot do this because they don't have the code or permission to do so.. PV can only flash a portion of the ECM therefore it must either fool the ecm's computing processes or bypass these low level events altogether. I will continue to consider it a parasitic program for the simple fact that it is not unique and has only copied some what others have already done.
To preface... I like TTS, I've used it in the past and I know it's eaiser to find a good tuner who uses TTS than it is to find a Power Vision tuner. Lots of Power Commander savvy tuners out there too, but Power Vision is not something many are familiar with.
TTS can't do a low level format of the device unless it has the ability to completely ground up rebuild the entire ECM firmware. No way Harley has given TTS full access to their ECM Firmware. All manufactures make 3rd parties sign agreements to not reverse engineer or work with their firmware/software in any other manner than allowed by the manufacturer. If TTS was able to perform a low level format they would have the ability to format a brand new ECM from the ground up with any VIN info they want... or for that matter wipe a stolen ECM and use TTS to build it again with your old VIN... No way, no how.
TTS may rewrite every cell in a table and utilize a strategy (ie MT8) which is not compatible with Harley's Digital Tech, which typically locks the ECM. Maybe that's what you are calling "low level format". But zero'ing out each of the fields in the tables that TTS is *allowed* to touch and rewriting each cell again is nothing special. What's the difference between zeroing out every field then rewriting every field and Power Vision changing only the cells that are different in the same table? TTS may add rows in a table which PV may not know about, but I'm not sure about that because I've seen new rows show up where previously they weren't available. PowerVision adds more function and exposes more tables on a continual basis, just like TTS. Power Vision may not have the ability to alter every one of the tables TTS alters, but it's only because they haven't exposed them or the underlying software manages the tables differently internally.
Regarding the "parasitic" comment. Power Vision does not have any code that runs on the ECM, so, when you feed it a map, it replaces the values in the table that have been modified. If you use Power Visions "Quick Tune" you can make a delta change to the existing map in similar fashion to the Power Commander piggy back tuners, but it's still flashing a new value into the same Map that TTS alters. A VE table entry of 96 is 96 with either TTS or PV, or DirectLink. TTS uses a windows computer to program the ECM, Power Vision uses a Linux based computer. They are effectively no different.
*Intercept* tuners, like PowerCommanders, intercept and alter the signal to trick the ECM into output desired values. I too am not a fan of piggyback tuners, other than their ability to be completely removed as needed.