For sure the Apple TV is hot, and releases a quite important amount of heat, they could measure up to 45°C on the top side of the case.
To cool it down, MacFixit identified 3 possibilities:
- force the Apple TV into sleep mode, however launching iTunes on the "Master" computer with which the Apple TV synchronize all audio and video content will awake it.
- do not synchronize the Apple TV with any computer, simply use it to stream audio or video content, but then you will have to leave a computer one...
- use component cables instead of HDMI.
Another simple way is simply to unplug your Apple TV when not in use, you will save energy in addition.
