Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2011 | Jul. 01, 2011 | Apr. 01, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Sep. 24, 2010 | Jun. 25, 2010 | Mar. 26, 2010 | Dec. 25, 2009 | Sep. 30, 2011 | Sep. 24, 2010 | Sep. 25, 2009 | |
| Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. | $ 79,071 | $ 61,748 | $ 82,061 | $ 86,387 | $ 65,011 | $ 63,452 | $ 85,898 | $ 69,086 | $ 309,267 | $ 283,447 | $ 242,991 |
| Weighted-average shares outstanding-basic | 110,063 | 111,494 | 112,140 | 112,035 | 112,486 | 113,254 | 113,985 | 114,085 | 111,444 | 113,452 | 113,101 |
| Potential common shares from options to purchase Class A and Class B common stock | 941 | 1,769 | 2,167 | ||||||||
| Potential common shares from restricted stock units | 169 | 167 | 99 | ||||||||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding-diluted | 110,662 | 112,349 | 113,346 | 113,713 | 114,276 | 115,282 | 115,995 | 116,138 | 112,554 | 115,388 | 115,367 |
| Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.-basic | $ 0.72 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.73 | $ 0.77 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.56 | $ 0.75 | $ 0.61 | $ 2.78 | $ 2.50 | $ 2.15 |
| Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.-diluted | $ 0.71 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.72 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.57 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.59 | $ 2.75 | $ 2.46 | $ 2.11 |
Stock Options [Member] | |||||||||||
| Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculation | 3,289 | 2,074 | 3,409 | ||||||||
Restricted Stock Units [Member] | |||||||||||
| Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | |||||||||||
| Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculation | 535 | 457 | 148 | ||||||||
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- Definition Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items].
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- Definition Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Restricted Stock Units
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- Definition Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Stock Options
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- Definition Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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