Restructuring and Excess Facilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2008 Sunnyvale building [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Omneon Restructuring [Member] Excess Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Omneon Restructuring [Member] Excess Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Omneon Restructuring [Member] Excess Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Omneon Restructuring [Member] Excess Facilities [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 HFC Restructuring [Member] Employee	Dec. 31, 2013 HFC Restructuring [Member] Severance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 HFC Restructuring [Member] Contract Termination [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Employee	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Cost of revenue [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Operating Expenses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Inventory Valuation and Obsolescence [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Severance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Lease expiration date				2010-09
Restructuring and related charges	$ 1,421	$ 0	$ 0		$ 3,000	$ 28	$ 94	$ 517				$ 2,200	$ 824	$ 1,421		$ 1,700
Restructuring charges									600	505	95
Number of employees terminated									9			85
Non-cash write-offs												553			404	0	149
Number of employees terminated required to be hired									10
Restructuring reserve					2,862	0	869	2,593	13	13	0	179			0	179	0
Restructuring charges in continued operations												2,168			404	1,663	101
Adjustments to restructuring provisions									$ 73	$ 102	$ (29)	$ 77			$ 0	$ 29	$ 48