Well I figured out how to add custom names to the channels.
And I think I figured out that an "*" by the show name indicates it's a new airing.
But I can't figure out how to make it record only new, unaired shows. It only gives me an option to record only shows that have not been "previously recorded". Which means it'll be recording shows from last year, because obviously I haven't recorded those yet.
Also, the guide is only giving me about 1/2 a day of guide data. Nothing for tomorrow night.