Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for operating and managing real world devices through a three-dimensional virtual user interface. In a preferred form, the invention relates to using a three-dimensional virtual user interface to control the playing of content items on a display device or on multiple display devices, all managed and operated by the present invention. The system allows for real-time previewing of the content items rendered on the displays on a single control computer monitor. The invention may be seen as a computer having an application employing a three-dimensional virtual user interface for operating and previewing a display device or devices.