Since 1977, the German manufacturer Inakustik has been designing its cables in its Ballrechten-Dottingen workshop with a simple philosophy: the best cable is not the one that beautifies the signal, but the one that loses the least. The Star II 48G applies this principle to the HDMI 2.1 standard, offering the 48 Gbps of bandwidth required by the latest-generation TVs and consoles, all in a format certified Ultra High Speed by the HDMI.org organization.
The Star II 48G is built around high-purity solid OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) conductors, a material that minimizes impurities likely to hinder signal flow. The connectors feature 24-carat gold plating, ensuring optimal contact and minimal resistance at the junction points, where degradation most frequently occurs over time.
The triple shielding envelops the entire cable to protect data from surrounding electromagnetic interference. Smartphones searching for a network, Wi‑Fi routers, household appliances: all these are sources of interference whose emissions can disrupt the transmission of a high-definition video stream. This multi-layer protection helps maintain signal integrity over the entire length of the cable.
One point to note, however: this robust construction implies a relatively generous diameter and a certain stiffness. In installations where space is limited, particularly when HDMI sockets are close to a wall, you will need to plan for a sufficient bend radius to avoid putting strain on the connectors.
The 48 Gbps bandwidth allows the transmission of 4K 120 Hz signals without compression, or 8K 60 Hz content. The cable also supports 10K resolution (10,240 × 4,320 pixels) at 120 Hz when DSC (Display Stream Compression) is enabled on both the source and display sides.
All gaming-specific technologies are fully supported. VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) dynamically synchronizes the TV’s refresh rate with the frame rate generated by the console or PC, eliminating screen tearing and stuttering when performance fluctuates. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) automatically switches the display to game mode as soon as a game source is detected, reducing display latency without manual menu adjustments.
QFT (Quick Frame Transport) speeds up frame transfer to further reduce the delay between the player’s actions and what appears on screen, while QMS (Quick Media Switching) removes the brief blackouts that usually occur when switching between content with different frame rates.
On the video side, the Star II 48G handles dynamic HDR metadata: HDR10+ and Dolby Vision adjust display settings frame by frame to optimize the rendering of both dark scenes and highlights. HDCP 2.3 protection ensures compatibility with protected content from streaming platforms and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.
eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) enables uncompressed audio formats to be sent back to a soundbar or AV receiver: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DTS:X travel from the TV to the audio system without degradation, simplifying cabling while preserving the original sound quality.
Backward compatibility with earlier HDMI standards (2.0, 1.4, etc.) ensures proper operation with older equipment, although functionality will then be limited to the capabilities of the least advanced device in the chain.
At Inakustik, four product tiers follow one another: Star, Premium, Excellence, and Reference. The Star II 48G represents the first level, providing access to the manufacturer’s expertise at an affordable price. The Premium II 48G version, positioned above it, offers conductors with a larger cross-section (28 AWG), tinned and twisted in pairs, for increased immunity to interference over longer runs.
The Star II 48G is available in three lengths: 1 meter, 1.5 meters, and 2 meters. For longer distances, moving up to the Premium range or to an optical fiber cable becomes relevant in order to preserve signal integrity over the greater distance.
No, a standard HDMI 2.0 cable is sufficient for a TV limited to that standard. The Star II 48G will work, but its capabilities will be constrained by the port’s specifications. The investment makes more sense if you are planning for a future compatible TV or if you already own an HDMI 2.1 display.
ARC transmits compressed audio streams (Dolby Digital, DTS) from the TV to an external audio system. eARC extends this capability to uncompressed and object-based formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with much higher bandwidth (37 Mbps versus 1 Mbps). The Star II 48G supports both modes.
The cables provided with these consoles are Ultra High Speed certified and offer similar performance. The Star II 48G is a comparably high-quality alternative, useful for replacing a damaged cable or when you need a different length.
Yes, as long as the receiver has an HDMI 2.1 port with 4K/120 Hz passthrough to take full advantage of all features. Some older receivers may limit bandwidth or fail to pass through VRR. Check your model’s specifications before purchasing.
The triple shielding and high-quality conductors result in a thicker cable than low-end models. In most setups, this does not cause any issues. However, if your HDMI ports are located in a very tight space or directly against a wall, it may be wise to plan for an HDMI elbow adapter or to opt for a shorter cable.
This certification, issued by HDMI.org, guarantees that the cable has been tested and meets the bandwidth and compatibility requirements of the HDMI 2.1 standard. It specifically ensures support for 4K/120 Hz and 8K/60 Hz resolutions, as well as VRR and eARC functions.
Didier
Certified HDMI cable—at this price, you won’t find anything better.
Comment from February 14, 2026 — Experience from September 05, 2025
Georgios
Paired with a 4k blu-ray seems to work flawlessly!
Comment from February 12, 2026 — Experience from December 21, 2025
Michel
Used for the console and an Android box on a large PC screen. Nothing to say, it works perfectly /o/
Comment from June 13, 2025 — Experience from June 02, 2025
