Restructuring and Related Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 27, 2013 HFC business [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 HFC business [Member] Employee	Dec. 31, 2012 HFC business [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 HFC business [Member] Employee Severance And Benefit Arrangements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 HFC business [Member] Employee Severance And Benefit Arrangements [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 HFC business [Member] Contract termination [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 HFC business [Member] Contract termination [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Employee	Dec. 31, 2012 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Product cost of revenue [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Operating expense [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Employee Severance And Benefit Arrangements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Employee Severance And Benefit Arrangements [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Leasehold Improvements [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Leasehold Improvements [Member]	Sep. 27, 2013 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Obsolete Inventory [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Harmonic 2013 Restructuring [Member] Obsolete Inventory [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation Restructuring Expense					$ 16	$ 617		$ 522		$ 95
Restructuring charges	259	0	925	0								600	1,500		530	925	1,200
Number of termination of employees						9							63
Number Of Employees Terminated Required to be Hired						10
Number of terminated employees required to work end of TSA Period						3
Restructuring Reserve					30	30	0	30	0	0	0	95	95	0			95	0	0	0	0	0
Non-cash write-offs													$ 300				$ 0		$ 149		$ 151