Here is a comparison of the different editions of The Phantom Menace (Laserdisc, HDTV, 2011 Blu-Ray, 2020 4K Blu-Ray):
- 4K vs. 2011 Blu-Ray vs. HDTV vs. Laserdic:
http://www.framecompare.com/image-compare/screenshotcomparison/7LZ77NNX - same comparison magnified x8:
http://www.framecompare.com/image-compare/screenshotcomparison/9BC9FNNU
We can clearly see that:
- there are indeed only two masters: the first one was used for VHS, Laserdisc, DVD and HDTV; the second one was used for the Blu-Ray of 2011 and now for the 4K version of 2020;
- it seems that the colors are regraded again in the new 4K version, and the image is a little more cropped in 2020 than in 2011;
- there is more sharpness in the 4K version than in the Blu-Ray of 2011, but there is also less grain and, apparently, a slight edge enhancement. This makes me believe that it is indeed a simple upscale of a 2K master. What do you think ?