A method for playing a media file in an electronic device is provided. The method includes running, on an electronic device having an operating system (OS), a media presentation system, receiving, at the media presentation system, from a source a media file including audio and video signals, wherein the video signals include the video container of a form suitable for representation on a video output component of the electronic device, playing, at the media presentation system, the media file by processing the audio and video signals, and manipulating, at the media presentation system, the video container depending on an operating state of one or both of the media presentation system and the electronic device while the audio and video signals are being processed.