Tonight's news goes digital for 1 minute

Attention all viewers: This is just a test. Do not panic if your old rabbit-ear TV goes all snowy and static-y in the middle of the evening news today.

It will take only a minute for TV stations to make a trial run for the nationwide switch from analog and digital to all-digital programming, which takes place Feb. 17, 2009. Wilmington has already made the switch as a test market.

To simulate what nondigital holdouts may experience in February, analog signals across North Carolina will be shut off for one minute, which will let viewers know whether they're ready for the change early next year. In the Triangle, WRAL, WTVD and WNCN (NBC17) are participating.

The tests will take place between 6 and 6:30 p.m., during the traditional local news spot.

Methods may vary, but WRAL director of programming John Harris says his station will incorporate the test into a special report by reporter Monica Laliberte -- two, actually, that will air simultaneously, targeted toward either digital or nondigital viewers.

Those who are ready for the change with cable hookups, digital TVs or converter boxes, will simply get an update on the situation. Those who still get reception over the air will get a friendly warning, plus 60 seconds of static and snow.

"I just think we want to give people early warning -- the ones who haven't been paying attention to all these public service announcements we've been running," Harris said. "We're trying to shake them up a little bit, to be honest."

Those who want converter boxes can apply for $40 coupons by calling (888) 388-2009, or by going to www.dtv2009.gov.