Statements of Operations (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011
Revenue:
Product revenue	$ 35,926		$ 41,298
Service revenue	12,445		11,873
Total revenue	48,371		53,171
Cost of sales	31,212		33,491
Gross profit	17,159		19,680
Operating expenses:
Product development and engineering	3,745		3,838
Selling, general and administrative	17,040		16,102
Total operating expenses	20,785		19,940
Operating income	(3,626)		(260)
Interest expense	(245)		(247)
Other loss, net	283		(163)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	(3,588)		(670)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	776		1,230
Income from continuing operations	(4,364)		(1,900)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes of $20 in 2012 and $859 for the three months in 2011, respectively	7,976		1,356
Net income (loss)	3,612		(544)
Net income (loss) attributable to MRV	$ 3,612		$ (544)
Net income (loss) attributable to MRV per share — basic:
From continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.01)
From discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05		$ 0.01
Net income attributable to MRV per share — basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	[1]	$ 0.00	[1]
Net income (loss) attributable to MRV per share — diluted:
From continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ (0.03)		$ (0.01)
From discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05		$ 0.01
Net income attributable to MRV per share — diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.02	[1]	$ 0.00	[1]
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic (in shares)	157,738		157,572
Diluted (in shares)	157,922		157,572

[1] Amounts may not add due to rounding.