How to shut down Apple TV (2G) remotly?
If you notice, the "Sleep Now" menu entry for the AppleTV is in the lower right-hand corner of the menu system.

Here's how I do it:


Press the "menu" button several times, until you hear the different audio sound to indicate that you're at the home screen.
Press the "right" button several times, until you'd think that the cursor is over on the farthest right option.
Press the "down" button several times, until you'd think that the cursor is at the "Sleep Now" option.
Press the "middle" button.


I do this a lot when I am streaming music to the device; takes me about three seconds and it works.