Now after reading the links.. I gotta say the first link atleast is pretty bs stuff to me. The second is not so convincing either, however, atleast in the second link the writer talks about the TV having to have built-in digituner for that stuff...cuz you really need something to crunch down the bits the antenna receives. Which then proves that the stuff is compressed just as is the stuff that comes from the cable, since digital hardly ever is uncompressed. And definitely something like HD video+audio needs to be compressed to be delivered OTA or in the cable. Or else it would take way way way too much bandwith to be viable.
What else is a bit off is the build of the antenna, especially in the first one. Perforated reflector and a shoebox? Really? Get outta here wif you old nigga rigs... the second one is alteast close to Yagi, which could work. However, the spikes need to be much better aligned and measured. For that, we need the frequence the signal is broadcast. Also, we need a lot more little parts to go with it than just a piece of wood and coathangers. Which is why you are better off just buying one from the RadioShack. At least it is a proper one. So I don't even understand what is the idea behind building one yourself? Weird stuff.