Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Jun. 30, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	BASIS OF PRESENTATION Nature of Business Pixelworks is a leading provider of high-performance and power-efficient visual processing solutions that bridge the gap between video content formats and rapidly advancing display capabilities. We develop and market semiconductor and software solutions that enable consistently high-quality, authentic viewing experiences in a wide variety of applications from cinema to smartphones. Our primary target markets include Mobile (smartphone, gaming and tablet), Home Entertainment (TV, personal video recorder ("PVR"), over-the-air ("OTA") and projector), Content (creation, remastering and delivery), and Business & Education (projector). As of June 30, 2020, we had an intellectual property portfolio of 345 patents related to the visual display of digital image data. We focus our research and development efforts on developing video algorithms that improve quality, and architectures that reduce system power, cost, bandwidth and increase overall system performance and device functionality. We seek to expand our technology portfolio through internal development and co-development with business partners, and we continually evaluate acquisition opportunities and other ways to leverage our technology into other high-value markets. Pixelworks was founded in 1997 and is incorporated under the laws of the state of Oregon. On August 2, 2017, we acquired ViXS Systems, Inc., a corporation organized in Canada ("ViXS"). Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements The financial information included herein for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 is prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and is unaudited. Such information reflects all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, except as discussed below, 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, 2019 is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, included in Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2020, and should be read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements. The results of operations for the three month and six month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for future periods or for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to provide for more consistent application. ASU 2019-12 will become effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, and early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2019-12 will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In November 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements: Clarifying the Interaction Between Topic 808 and Topic 606 ("ASU 2018-18"). ASU 2018-18 requires transactions in collaborative arrangements to be accounted for under ASC 606 if the counterparty is a customer for a good or service (or bundle of goods and services) that is a distinct unit of account. The amendment also precludes entities from presenting consideration from transactions with a collaborator that is not a customer together with revenue recognized from contracts with customers. ASU 2018-18 became effective for us on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-18 did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Use of EstimatesThe 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. These estimates reflect considerations related to the impact of COVID-19. Our significant estimates and judgments include those related to revenue recognition, valuation of excess and obsolete inventory, lives and recoverability of equipment and other long-lived assets, valuation of goodwill, valuation of share-based payments, income taxes, litigation and other contingencies. The actual results experienced could differ materially from our estimates.