A multimedia framework includes a monolithic multimedia component to include a specific interface provided by the multimedia framework, and a component control unit layer to serve as a point of control of an application, and to control a data flow through the monolithic multimedia component. When the application queries the component control unit layer for the specific interface, the specific interface passes a pointer thereof that signifies a role required by the application matching a role identified by the multimedia framework for the monolithic multimedia component to the application. A command from the application is transmitted to a tunnel of a multimedia stack interfaced with the monolithic multimedia component to ensure that the same monolithic multimedia component serves as a source component, one or more transform component(s) and/or a renderer. The application is unaware of the multi-tasking associated with the monolithic multimedia component.