Restructuring and Related Charges - Activities in Restructuring Accrual (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013	Jun. 27, 2014 Harmonic Two Thousand And Thirteen Restructuring [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Harmonic Two Thousand And Thirteen Restructuring [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Harmonic Two Thousand And Thirteen Restructuring [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Harmonic Two Thousand And Thirteen Restructuring [Member] Inventory Valuation and Obsolescence [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Harmonic Two Thousand And Thirteen Restructuring [Member] Excess Facilities [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Harmonic Two Thousand And Thirteen Restructuring [Member] Severance [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Product cost of revenue [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Product cost of revenue [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Product cost of revenue [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Product cost of revenue [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Operating Expense [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Operating Expense [Member]	Jun. 27, 2014 Operating Expense [Member]	Jun. 28, 2013 Operating Expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	$ 284,000	$ 307,000	$ 512,000	$ 872,000							$ 0	$ 65,000	$ 79,000	$ 206,000	$ 284,000	$ 242,000	$ 433,000	$ 666,000
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance					179,000				0	179,000
Restructuring and related charges	284,000	242,000	433,000	666,000	519,000	872,000	2,200,000		32,000	487,000
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment					(7,000)			0		(7,000)
Cash payments					(624,000)				(32,000)	(592,000)
Ending Balance					$ 67,000		$ 179,000		$ 0	$ 67,000