Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	BASIS OF PRESENTATION Nature of Business Pixelworks designs, develops and markets video and pixel processing semiconductors, intellectual property cores, software and custom ASIC solutions for high-end digital video applications. Our products allow manufacturers and developers of digital display and projection devices to manufacture screens of all sizes that display the highest video quality with minimum power consumption. Our core video display processing technology intelligently processes video signals from a variety of sources and optimizes the image for the viewer. The continued advancement of display technology and rapid growth of video consumption on digital delivery systems and mobile applications has increased the demand for video display processing technology in recent years. Our products are used in a range of devices from large flat panel displays to small low power mobile applications. Our products are designed to reduce overall system power requirements and reduce costs for our customers by minimizing bandwidth. Our primary target markets include digital projection systems, digital televisions, Ultrabook^TM devices, tablets, and smartphones. As of June 30, 2015, we had an intellectual property portfolio of 132 patents related to the visual display of digital image data. Pixelworks was founded in 1997 and is incorporated under the laws of the state of Oregon. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements The financial information included herein for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and is unaudited. Such information reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for these interim periods. The financial information as of December 31, 2014 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2015, and should be read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for future periods or for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. Comprehensive Income (Loss) The Company reports comprehensive income (loss) and its components following guidance set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), Accounting Standards Codification section 220-10, Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income or loss and its components in the financial statements. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, aside from our net loss, there were no other items of comprehensive income or loss and therefore the Company has not included a statement of comprehensive income (loss) in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which requires that an entity recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption and will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating the alternative transition methods and the potential effects of the adoption of this update on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant estimates and judgments include those related to revenue recognition, product returns, warranty obligations, bad debts, inventories, property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, valuation of share-based payments, income taxes, litigation and other contingencies. The actual results experienced could differ materially from our estimates.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nature of Business

Pixelworks designs, develops and markets video and pixel processing semiconductors, intellectual property cores, software and custom ASIC solutions for high-end digital video applications. Our products allow manufacturers and developers of digital display and projection devices to manufacture screens of all sizes that display the highest video quality with minimum power consumption. Our core video display processing technology intelligently processes video signals from a variety of sources and optimizes the image for the viewer. The continued advancement of display technology and rapid growth of video consumption on digital delivery systems and mobile applications has increased the demand for video display processing technology in recent years. Our products are used in a range of devices from large flat panel displays to small low power mobile applications. Our products are designed to reduce overall system power requirements and reduce costs for our customers by minimizing bandwidth. Our primary target markets include digital projection systems, digital televisions, Ultrabook^TM devices, tablets, and smartphones.

As of June 30, 2015, we had an intellectual property portfolio of 132 patents related to the visual display of digital image data. Pixelworks was founded in 1997 and is incorporated under the laws of the state of Oregon.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

The financial information included herein for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and is unaudited. Such information reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for these interim periods. The financial information as of December 31, 2014 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2015, and should be read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements.

The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for future periods or for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company reports comprehensive income (loss) and its components following guidance set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), Accounting Standards Codification section 220-10, Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income or loss and its components in the financial statements. During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, aside from our net loss, there were no other items of comprehensive income or loss and therefore the Company has not included a statement of comprehensive income (loss) in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"), which requires that an entity recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. ASU 2014-09 allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption and will become effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company is evaluating the alternative transition methods and the potential effects of the adoption of this update on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Our significant estimates and judgments include those related to revenue recognition, product returns, warranty obligations, bad debts, inventories, property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets, valuation of share-based payments, income taxes, litigation and other contingencies. The actual results experienced could differ materially from our estimates.