The more this thread keeps going, the less I follow you guys on those points.
Basically, what Morgan is asking is a proper HD output option within the Red camera and the possibility to choose between raw - Prores QT.
Perfectly fine and usefull desire.
It's true that the RED proxies generated suck and can't be an option.
But then, wich Prores? the 4.2.2 ? I don't see it.
The Alexa does that. Arriraw or Prores 444.
I don't get the cost of space, if the cost of space has never been so low and will keep going to decrease. Computer performances are growing while costs are getting lower. What can be costly today will be the norm tomorrow. Computer engineering goes faster than gear. So 4-5 or more ks won't be any issue tomorrow at each time lower costs.
If a camera is able to shoot a Raw master, then whatever your output might be, it gives you flexibility as in the end one file is needed for any output.
You seem to think like you'd had to deliver only one format and that's it, format that would have been defined before the shooting
but I've never received such a sheet because
what I always got is at least 5 different outputs required for the same project, and those are generally starting from the maximum possible size to mobile phones outputs.
Then, let's say the Red features 2k HD prores option, you have choosen this setting, then the clients asks for stills later...you're in deep trouble: "why the hell haven't I choose the Raw...." will resonate in your head...
Let's be serious for awhile. I've never ever seen once a client that asks for just one output.
You do a master at the max possible quality and then dispatch. Why complicating? You'd have this option in camera that it will be in fact a dilema more than a solution.
If you decide to shoot HD "only" with a camera that features 4-5K reso, it's the open door to future problems.
To solve one, you'd put yourself potentially in others later.
I think that the master should be the maximum reso available. If it's 2K Alexa it will be 2K, if it's 4-5K Red it will be 4-5 K.
If it's possible (and it will be more and more possible) to edit with resolution independance, then this is the path IMO.
And another observation. Reading some post between lines (I might be wrong so correct me if it's the case), it seems that many are FCP users right?
I won't comment on that any further, but you know that there are options...