Multimedia systems are key tools for development of new ICT applications and design of advanced multimedia services. Rather than focusing on single multimedia processing topics, multimedia systems teaching and research is devoted to understanding how to design new services and new solutions. Design of systems devoted to processing and exchanging multimedia data poses specific technological challenges, and needs not only solid knowledge of service requirements and standard technical solutions, but also the creativity to find new solutions for continually updating problems. In this “moving target” scenario, it is of utmost importance to acquire the “big picture” on multimedia systems key issues, existing services, and relevant standards; for a fast look at the basic principles related to multimedia communications services have a look at the contents addressed in the related MS course (see http://stefaniacolonnese.site.uniroma1.it/multimedia-systems).