Resetting Apple TV 2nd generation without original remote or iTunes account.

My friend gave me his old Apple TV 2nd Generation (missing a remote) when I came over to help him set up his Mac mini for video editing. He had replaced his old Apple TV for the latest one.

I Got it home, and connected it, and I can't set it up or use it without the remote (or being on his wifi network?).

How can I get this thing to work without having a remote? My friend's kid tells me that his dad just used his phone as a remote because they lost the remote a long time ago.