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Do these types of antennas provide any improvement over using the "rabbit ears" for ATSC signals?

From the picture it looks like a UHf yagi. If so, it will have to be pointed toward the station. Rabbit ears may work better for lower channels, g 2-5, and maybe 2-9.

or build one from coat hangers which is a lot better.

I bought one of these two years ago when I replaced a CRT TV with an LCD one. This item is a vast improvement over standard "Rabbit ear" antennas. And yes, it is directional.

Works best when used with a Tenna-rotor and strapped to the chimney.

#5, indoor antennas should not be strapped to the chimney

similar concept for $24.99

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-PHDTV1-Silver-Digital-Antenna/dp/B0007XDI54/ref=pd_te2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Actually not just a similar concept. It's the same antenna. This is one of the standards for TV antennae. The Philips Silver Sensor was used to determine the "reasonable reception" of HDTV signals by the FCC.

This is an excellent antenna, even if it is not amplified. It is directional, but for us, most digital antennae are clustered together, so we just pointed it in one direction and made sure we didn't move it. It is better than the standard rabbit ears BECAUSE it is directional (greater range in one direction). If you're in the middle of different antenna farms, however, then the traditional rabbit ears may work better for you (circular footprint).

There is an amplified one that is even better, but it only stretches the range by an additional bar or so.

Externally mounted antennae are the best, but this is more than adequate for most city folk.

With the cost crunch going on, maybe get rid of cable and go this route. Save me couple hundred a year.
Just a thought

I have the Zenith version of this antenna. Works well. Unfortunately, the city where I live only has about a half a dozen digital stations, so this won't be replacing my DirecTV or Comcast cable anytime soon.

I have the antenna hooked up to my computer's HD video card for when I'm working on my computer and want to watch TV at the same time.

I hate Terks. They're responsible for the high gas prices.

just go with a $8.88 walmart antenna work just as good.

coat hanger antennas work best in my area.

i was under the impression from doing a small amount of research that as long as you have an hd tuner the channels either come in or they dont. with no difference in quality. I have an 8$ antenna in the bedroom for my 32in lcd and i get all the local hd channels with perfect picture. the analog channels suck but those will go away come the digital switch.

these are only good for living in the metro areas, not good for those living in a rural area.

You're right, #15. Just bought this $23 shipped at buy.com a few days ago. Damn it, all I can see is worms and some sound.

My parents have this antenna in semi-rural area and it works well. Since this is a directional antenna you will need to aim it towards where your local broadcasters' antennas are. If they are in different directions this antenna won't work well.

#14,
Yes, you more or less get signal or you don't. The signal breaks up very fast, but a better antenna will get more stations and not have to be reaimed for each station.

There are smart ways to design antennas. A well designed antenna should work better than a coat hanger. Not to say a coat hanger won't work, but you are better off with a properly engineered antenna. If you are in the city it probably doesn't matter much.

Yes, you absolutely can design your own antenna. They are not complex devices. There are websites on how to do it, but honestly, for $20-40 it seems like a PITA worth avoiding.

I upgraded to this antenna from the Target $30 antenna and this is a slight, but noticeable improvement over that one, and worth it IMO.

#3 and #13 is right, I used a long coax cable and wrapped it in circles and got very good reception with it!

I purchased this Terk indoor antenna about a year ago. Please allow me to dispel some of the myths.
This is a directional, indoor only antenna. The assembly includes an integrated pair of telescoping rabbit ears that must be extended for VHF reception.
I found the reception to be no better than any of the other indoor antennas I have used.
I got the best results by placing this antenna in my attic. The problem is that, because it is a directional antenna, I must climb into the attic to focus the antenna on different transmission sources. This is very inconvenient, so, if there is such a thing as a rotator for this antenna, it would be VERY useful.
I am using an Igsignia digital to analog converter to receive digital stations in Chicago. Some stations transmit digital VHF, Most transmit digital UHF. Some weak stations "break up" (intermitant audio, pixellated video) during bad weather (wind and rain). But when the antenna is pointed directly to the transmission source, the picture is absolutely perfect, Unfortunately, in the Chicago area, there are at least 4 different transmitting locations. (The bigger networks xmit from the Sears Tower, the big independent (WGN) xmits from the north side, the PBS stations xmit from the Hancarrot Center, the other independants are spread around the suburbs).