A method for controlling a multimedia decoder that can simultaneously access different programs from different sources and/or of different qualities, wherein the decoder can operate in a multitask mode such that it controls the display and/or recording of a first program simultaneously with the display and/or recording of a second program, wherein the decoder performs the following steps: the step of identifying the resources available for displaying and/or recording programs accessible by the decoder; the step of determining the resources required for displaying and/or recording each of the programs accessible by the decoder; and the step in multitask mode of inhibiting a displaying and/or recording control of one of these programs when the resources required by the ordered program are higher than the available resources of the decoder.