Abstract: A multimedia system includes a multimedia device control program having a plurality of application program selectable controls for controlling operation of a like plurality of different classes of multimedia devices. Each class has a different set of controllable device functions or attributes. In response to selection of a class by an application program, a unique control panel is created in a user interface for controlling operation of a device. The selected control performs all of the processing actions necessary to control the device in response to user selections on the interface, without involvement of the application program in such actions. The multimedia control program includes a plurality of panel templates from which control panels are created in a control screen. Each panel has a plurality of controllers that can manipulated by a user to control a corresponding function of a multimedia device. The templates provide a consistent interfaces having a common look and feel.