Briefs: NEC unveils new LCD flat screens

ITASCA -- NEC Display Solutions of America on Thursday introduced a new line of LCD flat panel displays for home theater and home-entertainment systems. Unlike consumer-grade LCD TVs, NEC said MultiSync Residential Series features a proprietary ASIC chip set for higher quality videos and graphics. NEC Corp. is based in Tokyo, but Itasca is home to its North American headquarters.

Discover consumer index holds steady

RIVERWOODS -- Consumers gave their personal finances remarkably consistent ratings, according to the August Discover Consumer Spending Confidence Monitor. Still, the number of people who said the U.S. economy was worsening increased from 58 percent to 62 percent, according to Riverwoods-based financial services firm.