Las Vegas, Orlando and most recently, Wilmington, NC have taken a new approach to preparing viewers for February’s analog shut-off–they’ve pulled the plug early. To illustrate what television will be like for those not yet equipped with digital tuners, these stations simulated a one minute analog shut-off, showing 60 seconds of static followed by a list of phone numbers viewers could call to get ready for the real transition date, just 172 days away.

Wilmington, NC will make the full transition to digital six months before the rest of the country. On September 8th, all of Wilmington’s major broadcasters will shut off their analog signals to act as a test market for other stations. The FCC will monitor their switchover closely and try to work out any kinks before February 17, 2009.

Read more about analog shutoff drills here.