Close-up: TVs with style (photos)

Not every flat panel LCD or plasma TV is a black slate devoid of detail when turned off. Many TV makers build styling cues, subtle or otherwise, into their sets to make them stand out from the pack. Here's a close-up look at a few of the more unique ones we've seen.

Samsung has always been one of the more daring TV makers style-wise. Its C8000 series, featuring a thin frame of burnished metal bordered in transparent plastic, is a great example.

Even more daring is the spider-like four-legged stand used across many of the company's 2010 TVs.

The whole package certainly stands out, and you'll either love it or hate it. We don't really love it.

Panasonic usually occupies the staid end of the style spectrum, but for its flagship Z1 from 2009, the company went with burnished metal, too. Try to look past that wireless receiver sticking out from below.

The Z1's rounded stand is topped in glossy plastic.

The whole package is pretty slick for a Panasonic plasma, if you don't mind a little shine. Those speakers are detachable, too.

Sony's high-end 2010 models TVs have a "Monolithic" design, meaning lots of black and flush glass across the entire front.

The Monolith continues with a thin stand base.

The Sony's overall look is a study in uninterrupted black. Count us fans.

Samsung's 860 plasma also goes with black and adds a transparent edge.

Also transparent? The stand stalk, which sits atop a metal-topped base.

It doesn't get much more two-tone than this.

Staying with Samsung, one of the company's LED models goes for black with a simulated wood grain finish.

That stand seems ready to animate and crawl up a wall.

Mitsubishi added a speaker bar to its LCDs, bulking up the bottom edge.

On the other hand, the sides and top edge around the screen are vanishingly thin.

Another speaker bar is featured on Vizio's 55-inch LCD.

Unfortunately, the overall look is much bulkier.

LG's LED goes with the transparent edge combined with flush glass.

Another unusual stand stalk will grab attention.

Overall, the LG looks sleek and high-tech, while subtle styling cues still set it apart.