Restructuring and Related Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2014	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 28, 2014 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Employee	Mar. 29, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member]	Mar. 28, 2014 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Product cost of revenue [Member]	Mar. 28, 2014 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Operating Expense [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 HFC business [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 HFC business [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 149,000	$ 424,000	$ 228,000	$ 565,000	$ 2,200,000	$ 79,000	$ 149,000	$ 600,000
Restructuring Reserve			$ 133,000		$ 179,000				$ 13,000
Number of positions eliminated			8