CREDIT AGREEMENT (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2010
Wells Fargo Capital Finance LLC [Member]
Credit Agreement [Line Items]
number of revolving credit facilities			2
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 60
Minimum liquidity restrictions		The Credit Agreement requires that Avid Technology, Inc. (“Avid Technology”) maintain liquidity (comprised of unused availability under its portion of the credit facilities plus certain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) of $10 million, at least $5 million of which must be from unused availability under its portion of the credit facilities.
Credit facilities, interest rate description		Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the credit facilities at a rate of either LIBOR plus 2.75% or a base rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus 1.75%, at the option of Avid Technology or Avid Europe, as applicable.
deferred borrowing costs balance	0.6	0.6
deferred borrowing costs accumulated amortization	0.6	0.6
Credit Facilities, Borrowings and Repayments	13.0
Guaranteed Letters of Credit	3.7	3.7
Available borrowings	31.3	31.3
Avid Technology International BV [Member]
Credit Agreement [Line Items]
Minimum liquidity restrictions		In addition, its subsidiary, Avid Technology International B.V. (“Avid Europe”), is required to maintain liquidity (comprised of unused availability under Avid Europe's portion of the credit facilities plus certain unrestricted cash and cash equivalents) of $5 million, at least $2.5 million of which must be from unused availability under Avid Europe's portion of the credit facilities.
Unused line fee (in hundredths)		0.625%
Guaranteed Letters of Credit	4.8	4.8
Available borrowings	$ 12.8	$ 12.8