Dolby Laboratories (DLB) 10-K 18 Nov 14 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014	Oct. 24, 2014
			Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]
Entity Registrant Name	'Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	'	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001308547	'	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--09-26	'	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'	'
Document Period End Date	26-Sep-14	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	'	50,796,461	51,490,239
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	$1.30	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$568,472	$454,397
Restricted cash	2,142	3,175
Short-term investments	231,208	140,267
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,615 and $514	86,168	97,460
Inventories	8,536	10,093
Deferred taxes	86,445	84,238
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	22,880	28,949
Total current assets	1,005,851	818,579
Long-term investments	296,335	306,338
Property, plant and equipment, net	289,755	242,917
Intangible assets, net	63,700	41,315
Goodwill	277,574	279,724
Deferred taxes	41,746	37,434
Other non-current assets	9,051	11,638
Total assets	1,984,012	1,737,945
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	15,898	10,695
Accrued liabilities	158,376	137,795
Income taxes payable	2,600	3,394
Deferred revenue	12,496	20,931
Total current liabilities	189,370	172,815
Long-term deferred revenue	19,279	19,663
Other non-current liabilities	43,715	45,441
Total liabilities	252,364	237,919
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	46,415	18,812
Retained earnings	1,660,485	1,454,382
Accumulated other comprehensive income	3,014	7,814
Total stockholdersb equity b Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	1,710,017	1,481,110
Controlling interest	21,631	18,916
Total stockholdersb equity	1,731,648	1,500,026
Total liabilities and stockholdersb equity	1,984,012	1,737,945
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	51	47
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	$52	$55

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,615	$514
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock voting right per share (votes per share)	1	1
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	50,658,627	46,862,893
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	50,658,627	46,862,893
Class B Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock voting right per share (votes per share)	10	10
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	51,610,239	54,876,494
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	51,610,239	54,876,494

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Revenue:	'	'	'
Licensing	$878,844	$807,081	$801,313
Products	59,219	80,603	103,388
Services	22,113	21,990	28,313
Total revenue	960,176	909,674	933,014
Cost of revenue:	'	'	'
Cost of licensing	10,814	16,856	12,924
Cost of products	45,132	64,270	66,325
Cost of services	14,230	15,593	12,778
Total cost of revenue	70,176	96,719	92,027
Gross margin	890,000	812,955	840,987
Operating expenses:	'	'	'
Research and development	183,128	168,746	140,143
Sales and marketing	252,647	231,103	188,486
General and administrative	178,104	161,970	149,175
Restructuring charges	2,403	5,874	1,191
Total operating expenses	616,282	567,693	478,995
Operating income	273,718	245,262	361,992
Other income/expense:	'	'	'
Interest income	3,344	3,848	6,411
Interest expense	183	-575	-196
Other income/(expense), net	-1,146	2,111	784
Total other income/expense	2,381	5,384	6,999
Income before income taxes	276,099	250,646	368,991
Provision for income taxes	-67,379	-60,344	-103,857
Net income including controlling interest	208,720	190,302	265,134
Less: net (income) attributable to controlling interest	-2,617	-1,031	-832
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	206,103	189,271	264,302
Net Income Per Share:	'	'	'
Basic (usd per share)	$2.02	$1.86	$2.47
Diluted (usd per share)	$1.99	$1.84	$2.46
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'
Basic (shares)	102,151	101,879	106,926
Diluted (shares)	103,632	102,788	107,541
Related party rent expense:	'	'	'
Included in operating expenses	2,125	2,526	1,372
Included in net income attributable to controlling interest	$4,827	$3,636	$3,270

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income including controlling interest	$208,720	$190,302	$265,134
Other comprehensive income/(loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	-5,004	-2,037	3,082
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	302	-876	380
Comprehensive income	204,018	187,389	268,596
Less: comprehensive (income) attributable to controlling interest	-2,715	-991	-1,140
Comprehensive income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$201,303	$186,398	$267,456

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class B Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Total Dolby Laboratories,Inc.[Member]	Controlling Interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance, value at Sep. 30, 2011	$1,685,350	$52	$58	$210,681	$1,445,189	$7,533	$1,663,513	$21,837
Beginning balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2011	'	51,861,000	57,560,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	265,134	'	'	'	264,302	'	264,302	832
Translation adjustments, net of taxes	3,082	'	'	'	'	2,774	2,774	308
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	380	'	'	'	'	380	380	'
Distributions to controlling interest	-13	'	'	'	'	'	'	-13
Stock-based compensation expense	47,184	'	'	47,184	'	'	47,184	'
Capitalized stock-based compensation expense	352	'	'	352	'	'	352	'
Repurchase of common stock	-268,203	-7	'	-268,184	-12	'	-268,203	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-7,213,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit/(deficiency) from the stock incentive plans	-3,585	'	'	-3,585	'	'	-3,585	'
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, shares	'	911,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, value	17,279	0	'	17,279	'	'	17,279	'
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, shares	'	-106,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, value	-3,835	0	'	-3,835	'	'	-3,835	'
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, shares	'	1,044,000	-1,044,000	'	'	'	'	'
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, value	'	1	-1	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of Class B stock options, shares	'	'	83,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of Class B stock options, value	108	'	0	108	'	'	108	'
Ending balance, value at Sep. 28, 2012	1,743,233	46	57	0	1,709,479	10,687	1,720,269	22,964
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 28, 2012	'	46,497,000	56,599,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	190,302	'	'	'	189,271	'	189,271	1,031
Translation adjustments, net of taxes	-2,037	'	'	'	'	-1,997	-1,997	-40
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	-876	'	'	'	'	-876	-876	'
Distributions to controlling interest	-5,039	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5,039
Stock-based compensation expense	64,328	'	'	64,328	'	'	64,328	'
Repurchase of common stock	-82,245	-2	'	-46,081	-36,162	'	-82,245	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-2,557,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends declared and paid on common stock	-408,206	'	'	'	-408,206	'	-408,206	'
Tax benefit/(deficiency) from the stock incentive plans	-6,564	'	'	-6,564	'	'	-6,564	'
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, shares	'	1,380,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, value	15,602	1	'	15,601	'	'	15,602	'
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, shares	'	-263,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, value	-8,828	'	'	-8,828	'	'	-8,828	'
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, shares	'	1,806,000	-1,806,000	'	'	'	'	'
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, value	'	2	-2	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of Class B stock options, shares	'	'	83,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of Class B stock options, value	356	'	'	356	'	'	356	'
Ending balance, value at Sep. 27, 2013	1,500,026	47	55	18,812	1,454,382	7,814	1,481,110	18,916
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 27, 2013	'	46,863,000	54,876,000	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	208,720	'	'	'	206,103	'	206,103	2,617
Translation adjustments, net of taxes	-5,004	'	'	'	'	-5,102	-5,102	98
Unrealized gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	302	'	'	'	'	302	302	'
Stock-based compensation expense	65,680	'	'	65,680	'	'	65,680	'
Repurchase of common stock	-56,028	-1	'	-56,027	'	'	-56,028	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	-1,390,000	-1,390,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Tax benefit/(deficiency) from the stock incentive plans	-1,770	'	'	-1,770	'	'	-1,770	'
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, shares	'	2,143,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Class A common stock issued under employee stock plans, value	32,994	2	'	32,992	'	'	32,994	'
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, shares	'	-337,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased for tax witholdings on vesting of restricted stock, value	-13,651	'	'	-13,651	'	'	-13,651	'
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, shares	'	3,380,000	-3,380,000	'	'	'	'	'
Transfer of Class B common stock to Class A common stock, value	'	3	-3	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of Class B stock options, shares	999,000	'	114,000	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of Class B stock options, value	379	'	'	379	'	'	379	'
Principles Of Consolidation	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories and our wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder has a controlling interest. We report these controlling interests as a separate line in our consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to controlling interest and in our consolidated balance sheets as a controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
Ending balance, value at Sep. 26, 2014	$1,731,648	$51	$52	$46,415	$1,660,485	$3,014	$1,710,017	$21,631
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 26, 2014	'	50,659,000	51,610,000	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity And Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation tax	($46)	$497	$30
Unrealized gains(losses) on available-for-sale securities, tax	($131)	$493	($210)

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income including controlling interest	$208,720	$190,302	$265,134
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	53,278	53,245	43,876
Stock-based compensation	65,680	64,328	47,581
Amortization of premium on investments	9,398	10,234	17,140
Excess tax benefit from exercise of stock options	-2,434	-475	-852
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,119	-174	-379
Deferred income taxes	-6,696	-19,642	1,208
Loss on impairment of long-lived assets	0	0	275
Other non-cash items affecting net income	1,821	-1,026	95
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	10,165	-53,639	18,831
Inventories	3,818	9,166	3,051
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-354	5,731	-3,984
Accounts payable and other liabilities	24,124	21,890	-6,641
Income taxes, net	951	2,314	3,866
Deferred revenue	-8,734	-1,076	-498
Other non-current liabilities	691	-4,677	1,218
Net cash provided by operating activities	361,547	276,501	389,921
Investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-389,282	-485,370	-611,211
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	159,559	548,739	358,142
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale securities	137,059	143,754	236,535
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-78,718	-26,711	-167,349
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0	-12,521
Purchases of intangible assets	-37,950	-4,050	-350
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and assets held for sale	3,355	503	2,075
Change in restricted cash	1,033	-1,840	-124
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	-204,944	175,025	-194,803
Financing activities:	'	'	'
Payments on debt	0	-79	-518
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	33,373	15,958	17,386
Repurchase of common stock	-56,028	-82,245	-268,203
Payment of cash dividend	0	-408,206	0
Distribution to controlling interest	0	-5,039	0
Excess tax benefit from the exercise of stock options	2,434	475	852
Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock	-13,651	-8,828	-3,835
Payment of deferred consideration for prior business combination	-6,708	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-40,580	-487,964	-254,318
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-1,948	-1,765	288
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	114,075	-38,203	-58,912
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	454,397	492,600	551,512
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	568,472	454,397	492,600
Supplemental disclosure:	'	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds received	72,177	77,701	98,497
Cash paid for interest	24	66	133
Non-cash investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchase consideration payable for acquisition	$0	$0	$6,038

Basis_Of_Presentation

Basis Of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories and our wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder has a controlling interest. We report these controlling interests as a separate line in our consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to controlling interest and in our consolidated balance sheets as a controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated selling prices for elements sold in multiple-element revenue arrangements; valuation allowances for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain property, plant, and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments, accrued liabilities including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
	Fiscal Year
	Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal years presented herein include the 52 week periods ended September 26, 2014 (fiscal 2014), September 27, 2013 (fiscal 2013), and September 28, 2012 (fiscal 2012).
	Reclassifications
	We have reclassified certain prior period amounts within our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to conform to our current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect total revenue, operating income, operating cash flows or net income.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable. Our investment portfolio consists of investment grade securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All our securities are held in custody by a recognized financial institution. Our policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% to any one issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists with respect to these investments. Our products are sold to businesses primarily in the Americas and Europe, and the majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the U.S. We manage this risk by evaluating in advance the financial condition and creditworthiness of our products and services customers and performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers. In fiscal 2014 and 2013, one customer accounted for approximately 11% and 12% of our total revenue, respectively, while in fiscal 2012, a different customer accounted for approximately 14% of our total revenue.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds held in general checking accounts, money market accounts, commercial paper, and U.S. agency notes.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets consist of cash contributed by third-party licensors to Via, our wholly-owned subsidiary, that may only be used in defending patent pools administered by Via.
	Investments
	All of our investments are classified as available-for-sale securities, with the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our supplemental retirement plan, which are classified as trading securities. Investments that have an original maturity of 91 days or more at the date of purchase and a current maturity of less than one year are classified as short-term investments, while investments with a current maturity of more than one year are classified as long-term investments. Our investments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), while realized gains and losses, other-than-temporary impairments, and credit losses are reported as a component of net income. Upon sale, gains and losses are reclassified from AOCI into earnings, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold.
	We evaluate our investment portfolio for credit losses and other-than-temporary impairments by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. An investment is impaired if the fair value is less than its cost basis. If any portion of the impairment is deemed to be the result of a credit loss, the credit loss portion of the impairment is included as a component of net income. If we deem it probable that we will not recover the full cost basis of the security, the security is other-than-temporarily impaired and the impairment loss is recognized as a component of net income.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	We continually monitor customer payments and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from our customers’ inability to make required payments. In determining the reserve, we evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based upon a variety of factors. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectible. For all other customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on our actual historical write-off experience in conjunction with the length of time the receivables are past due, the creditworthiness of the customer, geographic risk and the current business environment. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates.
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market (net realizable value). We evaluate our ending inventories for estimated excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation includes the analysis of future sales demand by product within specific time horizons. Inventories in excess of projected future demand are written down to their net realizable value. In addition, we assess the impact of changing technology on our inventory balances and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Write-downs and write-offs of inventory are recorded as a cost of products in our consolidated statements of operations. We classify inventory that we do not expect to sell within twelve months as other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table:
	PP&E Category	Useful Life (Depreciable Base)
	Computer systems and software	3 to 5 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 8 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 8 years
	Leasehold improvements	Lesser of useful life or related lease term
	Buildings	Up to 40 years
	We capitalize certain costs incurred during the construction phase of a project or asset into construction-in-progress until the construction process is complete. Once the related asset is placed into service, we transfer its carrying value into the appropriate fixed asset category and depreciate the value over its useful life. As of September 26, 2014, construction-in-progress included the book value and related construction costs for the 1275 Market Street Building that we purchased in fiscal 2012 as we are currently in the process of making substantial improvements to the property in order to prepare the building for its intended use as our new worldwide headquarters.
	Internal Use Software
	We account for the costs of computer software developed for internal use by capitalizing costs of materials and external consultants. These costs are included in PP&E, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense. Our capitalized internal use software costs are typically amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three to five years.
	Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets
	We test goodwill for impairment annually during our third fiscal quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, we adopted the provisions of the FASB's accounting standard (ASU 2011-08) which permits the execution of a qualitative assessment as a determinant for whether the two-step annual goodwill impairment test should be performed.
	In performing the qualitative assessment, we consider events and circumstances, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit's net assets, and changes in the price of our common stock. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not performed.
	If the two-step goodwill test is performed, we evaluate and test our goodwill for impairment at a reporting-unit level using expected future cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill over the calculated fair value of the goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below. Our operating segments are aligned with the management principles of our business.
	We completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2014 in the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2014 at which time the consolidated balance of goodwill totaled $280.0 million. After performing step one of the two-step goodwill impairment assessment which confirmed that the fair value of all reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value, we determined that goodwill was not impaired. We did not incur any goodwill impairment losses in either fiscal 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired technology, patents, trademarks, customer relationships and contracts, the majority of which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives using a range from three to seventeen years.
	We review long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or a change in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparing its carrying value to the total future undiscounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. If it is determined that an asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.
	Revenue Recognition
	We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and other aspects of our technological expertise and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been completed, the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable.
	Multiple Element Arrangements.  Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple elements (“MEs”), such as hardware, software, maintenance and other services. We evaluate each element in a multiple-element arrangement to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. An element constitutes a separate unit of accounting when it has standalone value and delivery of an undelivered element is both probable and within our control. When these criteria are not met, the delivered and undelivered elements are combined and the arrangement fees are allocated to this combined single unit. If the unit separation criteria are met, we account for each element within a ME arrangement (such as hardware, software, maintenance and other services) separately, whereby the total arrangement fees are allocated to each element based on its relative selling price, which we establish using a selling price hierarchy. We determine the selling price of each element based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third party evidence (“TPE”), if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”), if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.
	For some arrangements, customers receive certain elements over a period of time, after delivery of the initial product. These elements may include support and maintenance or the right to receive upgrades. Revenue allocated to the undelivered element is recognized either over its estimated service period or when the upgrade is delivered. We do not recognize revenue that is contingent upon the future delivery of products or services or upon future performance obligations. We recognize revenue for delivered elements only when we have completed all contractual obligations.
	We determine our ESP for an individual element within a ME revenue arrangement using the same methods used to determine the selling price of an element sold on a standalone basis. If we sell the element on a standalone basis, we estimate the selling price by considering actual sales prices. Otherwise, we estimate the selling price by considering internal factors such as pricing practices and margin objectives. Consideration is also given to market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer demands and industry technology lifecycles. Management applies judgment to establish margin objectives, pricing strategies and technology lifecycles.
	We account for the majority of our digital cinema server and processor sales as ME arrangements that may include up to four separate units, or elements, of accounting.
	▪	The first element consists of our digital cinema server hardware and the accompanying software, which is essential to the functionality of the hardware. This element is typically delivered at the time of sale.
	▪	The second element is the right to receive support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the hardware element and is typically delivered over a service period subsequent to the initial sale.
	▪	The third element is the right to receive specified upgrades, which is included with the purchase of the hardware element and is typically delivered when a specified upgrade is available, subsequent to the initial sale. Under revenue recognition accounting standards, sales of our digital cinema servers typically result in the allocation of a substantial majority of the arrangement fees to the delivered hardware element based on its ESP, which we recognize as revenue at the time of sale once delivery has occurred. A small portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to the undelivered support and maintenance element, and in some cases, to the undelivered specified upgrade element based on the VSOE or ESP of each element. The portion of the arrangement fees allocated to the support and maintenance element are recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated service period, and the portion of the arrangement fees allocated to specified upgrades are recognized as revenue upon delivery of the upgrade.
	▪	The fourth element is the right to receive commissioning services performed solely in connection with our digital servers necessary for the installation of Dolby Atmos-enabled theatres. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement, as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback. A small portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to these services based on their ESP which we recognize as revenue once the services have been completed.
	Software Arrangements.  Revenue recognition for transactions that involve software, such as fees we earn from certain system licensees, may include multiple elements. For some of our ME arrangements, customers receive certain elements over a period of time or after delivery of the initial software. These elements may include support and maintenance. The fair values of these elements are recognized over the estimated period for which these elements will be delivered, which is sometimes the estimated life of the software. If we do not have VSOE of fair value for any undelivered element included in these ME arrangements for software, we defer revenue until all elements are delivered or services have been performed, or until we have VSOE of fair value for all remaining undelivered elements. If the undelivered element is support and we do not have fair value for the support element, revenue for the entire arrangement is bundled and recognized ratably over the support period.
	In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay a fixed fee for units they may distribute in the future. These fees are generally recognized upon contract execution, unless the arrangement includes contingency terms or is considered a ME arrangement.
	Licensing.  Our licensing revenue is primarily derived from royalties paid to us by licensees of our intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Royalties are recognized when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. We determine that there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement upon the execution of a license agreement or upon the receipt of a licensee’s royalty report and payment. Generally, royalties are deemed fixed or determinable upon receipt of a licensee’s royalty report in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed agreement. We determine collectibility based on an evaluation of the licensee’s recent payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the licensee’s financial institution and our financial institution, and other factors. If we cannot determine that collectibility is probable, we recognize revenue upon receipt of cash, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Corrective royalty statements generally comprise less than 1% of our net licensing revenue and are recognized when received, or earlier if a reliable estimate can be made of an anticipated reduction in revenue from a prior royalty statement. An estimate of anticipated reduction in revenue based on historical negative correction royalty statements is also recorded. Deferred revenue represents amounts that we have already collected that are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which not all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Licensing revenue also includes fees we earn for administering joint patent licensing programs (“patent pools”) containing patents owned by us and/or other companies. Royalties related to patent pools are recorded net of royalties payable to third party patent pool members and are recognized when all revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	We generate the majority of our licensing revenue through our licensing contracts with original equipment manufacturers ("system licensees") and implementation licensees. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below.
	Licensing to system licensees.  We license our technologies to system licensees who manufacture consumer electronics products and, in return, the system licensee pays us a royalty generally for each unit shipped that incorporates our technologies. Royalties from system licensees are generally recognized upon receipt of a royalty report from the licensee and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay up-front, non-refundable royalties for units they may distribute in the future. These up-front fees are generally recognized upon contract execution, unless the arrangement includes extended payment terms or is considered a multiple element arrangement. In addition, in some cases we receive initial license fees for our technologies and provide post-contract support. In these cases we recognize the initial fees ratably over the expected support term.
	Licensing to software vendors.  We license our technologies for resale to software vendors and, in return, the software vendor pays us a royalty for each unit of software distributed that incorporates our technologies. Royalties from software vendors are generally recognized upon receipt of a royalty report from the licensee and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. In addition, in some cases we receive initial license fees for our technologies and provide post-contract upgrades and support. In these cases, we recognize the initial fees ratably over the expected support term, as VSOE of fair value typically does not exist for the upgrade and support elements of the contract.
	Product Sales.  Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the risk of ownership has transferred to our customer, as provided under the terms of the governing purchase agreement, and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Generally, these purchase agreements provide that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, except in specific instances in which certain foreign regulations stipulate that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer upon their receipt of the shipment. In these instances, we recognize revenue when the product is received by the customer.
	Services.  Services revenue is recognized as completed and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	Cost of Revenue
	Cost of licensing.  Cost of licensing primarily consists of amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Cost of licensing also includes royalty obligations to third parties for licensing intellectual property rights as part of arrangements with our customers.
	Cost of products.  Cost of products primarily consists of the cost of materials related to products sold, applied labor, and manufacturing overhead. Our cost of products also includes third party royalty obligations paid to license intellectual property that we include in our products.
	Cost of services.  Cost of services primarily consists of the personnel and personnel-related costs of employees performing our professional services, the cost of outside consultants, and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of customers.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	We measure expenses associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
	Advertising and Promotional Costs
	Advertising and promotional costs are charged to sales and marketing expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Advertising And Promotional Costs	$	37,895	$	32,834	$	19,971
	Foreign Currency Activities
Foreign Currency Translation
We maintain business operations in foreign countries. We translate the assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries, the majority of which are denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies, into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenues and expenses of these subsidiaries are translated using the average rates for the period. Gains and losses from these translations are included in AOCI within stockholders’ equity.
Foreign Currency Transaction
Certain of our foreign subsidiaries transact in currencies other than their functional currency. Therefore, we re-measure non-functional currency assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries using exchange rates at the end of each period. As a result, we recognize foreign currency transaction and re-measurement gains and losses, which are recorded within other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations. These gains were as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
	2014		2013		2012
Foreign Currency Transaction Gains	$	498	$	73	$	193
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
In an effort to reduce the risk that our earnings will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against assets and liabilities for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. These derivative instruments are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded to other income, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. While not designated as hedging instruments, these foreign currency forward contracts are used to reduce the exchange rate risk associated primarily with intercompany receivables and payables. These contracts do not subject us to material balance sheet risk due to exchange rate movements as gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset gains and losses on the related receivables and payables for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. As of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, the outstanding derivative instruments had maturities of 31 days or less and the total notional amounts of outstanding contracts were $22.9 million and $11.6 million, respectively. The fair values of these contracts were nominal as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, and were included within prepaid expenses and other current assets and within accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method, under which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss carryforwards are measured using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is additionally dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists.
We record an unrecognized tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reduced in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.
Repatriation of Undistributed Foreign Earnings
Beginning in fiscal 2010, we initiated a policy election to indefinitely reinvest a portion of the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries with operations outside of the United States. We consider the earnings of these foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the U.S. on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs, and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. A majority of the amounts held outside of the U.S. are generally utilized to support non-U.S. liquidity needs in order to fund operations and other growth of our foreign subsidiaries and acquisitions.
Sales Tax
We account for sales tax on a net basis by excluding sales tax from our revenue.
Withholding Taxes
We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a related foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. The foreign current tax includes this withholding tax expense while the appropriate foreign tax credit benefit is included in current federal and foreign taxes.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
We continually assess any new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") to determine their applicability and impact on us. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a change to our financial reporting, we take the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected on our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
Adopted Standards
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This new standard, which we adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, adds enhanced disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") with the intent of helping entities improve the transparency of changes in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") and items reclassified out of AOCI in their financial statements. The standard is to be applied on a prospective basis, and requires registrants to disclose either in a single note, or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. Since this new standard only results in changes to our financial statement presentation and does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or OCI in the financial statements, adoption of this standard does not impact our financial position or results of operations.
The adoption of new accounting pronouncements has not had a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, and has not resulted in a change to our significant accounting policies. Furthermore, there have not been any changes to our significant accounting policies from those that were described in our Form 10-K for the prior fiscal year ended September 27, 2013.
Standards Not Yet Effective
Revenue Recognition.  On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us on October 1, 2017 and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method or determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions	'
	Composition of Certain Financial Statement Captions
	The following tables present detailed information from our consolidated balance sheets as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013 (amounts displayed in thousands, except as otherwise noted).
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts Receivable, Net	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Trade accounts receivable	$	78,189		$	86,823
	Accounts receivable from patent administration program partners	9,594			11,151
	Accounts Receivable, Gross	87,783			97,974
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,615		)	(514		)
	Accounts Receivable, Net	$	86,168		$	97,460
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Balance at			Charged to			Deductions			Balance at
		Beginning of			Operations						End of
		Fiscal Year									Fiscal Year
	For fiscal year ended:
	28-Sep-12	$	2,466		$	(379	)	$	(1,131	)	$	956
	27-Sep-13	956			(174		)	(268		)	514
	26-Sep-14	514			1,119			(18		)	1,615
	Inventories
	Inventory	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	1,013		$	2,050
	Work in process	47			—
	Finished goods	7,476			8,043
	Total	$	8,536		$	10,093
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory with a consumption period expected to exceed twelve months is recorded within other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. In addition to the inventory balances displayed in the table above which are classified as current assets, we have included $1.7 million and $4.0 million of raw materials inventory within other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, respectively. The majority of the inventory included in non-current assets was purchased in bulk in fiscal 2012 to obtain a significant volume discount, and is expected to be consumed over a period that exceeds twelve months. Based on anticipated inventory consumption rates, and aside from existing write-downs due to excess inventory, we do not believe that material risk of obsolescence exists prior to ultimate sale.
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
	Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Prepaid expenses	$	11,665		$	10,195
	Other current assets	7,152			10,863
	Income tax receivable	4,063			7,891
	Total	$	22,880		$	28,949
	Other current assets as of September 26, 2014 includes the carrying value of $1.0 million of land and building that is currently held for sale. Management has committed to a plan to sell the property and expects to do so within the next twelve months. For additional information, see Note 5 “Property, Plant & Equipment” to our consolidated financial statements.
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued Liabilities	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Accrued royalties	$	2,526		$	6,075
	Amounts payable to patent administration program partners	43,438			40,091
	Accrued compensation and benefits	71,677			54,423
	Accrued professional fees	6,162			4,402
	Other accrued liabilities	34,573			32,804
	Total	$	158,376		$	137,795
	Other Non-Current Liabilities
	Other Non-Current Liabilities	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Supplemental retirement plan obligations	$	2,409		$	2,144
	Non-current tax liabilities	30,715			30,986
	Other liabilities	10,591			12,311
	Total	$	43,715		$	45,441
	Refer to Note 10 “Income Taxes” for additional information related to tax liabilities.
	Revenue From Significant Customers.    In fiscal 2014 and 2013, revenue from Samsung represented approximately 11% and 12% of our total revenue, respectively, and consisted primarily of licensing revenue from our mobile and broadcast markets. Revenue from Samsung did not exceed 10% of our total revenue in fiscal 2012. Although revenue from Microsoft did not exceed 10% of our total revenue in either fiscal 2014 or 2013, revenue from Microsoft did represent approximately 14% of our total revenue in fiscal 2012.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Investments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Investments & Fair Value Measurements
	Investment Strategy.    Under our investment management strategy, we use cash holdings to purchase investment grade securities that are diversified among security types, industries and issuers. Each of the investments within our investment portfolio is measured at fair value, and is recorded within cash equivalents, short-term investments, and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets.
	With the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our supplemental retirement plan, all of our investments are classified as available-for-sale securities. Investments held in our supplemental retirement plan are classified as trading securities. Our investments primarily consist of municipal debt securities, corporate bonds, United States agency securities and commercial paper. In addition to the security types noted above, our cash and cash equivalents also consist of highly-liquid money market funds. Consistent with our investment policy, none of the municipal debt investments that we hold are supported by letters of credit or standby purchase agreements.
	Our cash and investment portfolio, which is recorded as cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments, consists of the following:
		September 26,
		2014
		Cost		Unrealized								Estimated Fair Value
				Gains		Losses			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	564,745						$	564,745
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	1,727		—		—			1,727			1,727
	Commercial paper	2,000							2,000					2,000
	Cash and cash equivalents	568,472		—		—			568,472			1,727		2,000		—
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	35,443		5		(3		)	35,445			35,445
	Commercial paper	21,788		—		—			21,788					21,788
	Corporate bonds	56,106		81		(10		)	56,177					56,177
	Municipal debt securities	117,606		197		(5		)	117,798					117,798
	Short-term investments	230,943		283		(18		)	231,208			35,445		195,763		—
	Long-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	31,980		19		(6		)	31,993			31,993
	Corporate bonds	117,063		226		(80		)	117,209					117,209
	Municipal debt securities	146,337		326		(30		)	146,633					146,633
	Other long-term investments (2)	500		—		—			500
	Long-term investments	295,880		571		(116		)	296,335			31,993		263,842		—
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments (1)	$	1,095,295	$	854	$	(134	)	$	1,096,015		$	69,165	$	461,605	$	—
	Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
	Assets	2,507		—		—			2,507			2,507		—		—
	Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets & other non-current assets
	Liabilities	2,507		—		—			2,507			2,507		—		—
	Included in accrued liabilities & other non-current liabilities
	-1	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments exclude $2.1 million of restricted cash as of September 26, 2014.
	-2	Other long-term investments as of September 26, 2014 include a cost method investment of $0.5 million that was made during fiscal 2014.
		September 27,
		2013
		Cost		Unrealized								Estimated Fair Value
				Gains		Losses			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	420,069						$	420,069
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	16,193		—		—			16,193			16,193
	U.S. agency securities	13,135							13,135			13,135
	Commercial paper	5,000							5,000					5,000
	Cash and cash equivalents	454,397		—		—			454,397			29,328		5,000		—
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	6,003		4		—			6,007			6,007
	Commercial paper	5,991		—		—			5,991					5,991
	Corporate bonds	43,820		34		(7		)	43,847					43,847
	Municipal debt securities	84,326		127		(31		)	84,422					84,422
	Short-term investments	140,140		165		(38		)	140,267			6,007		134,260		—
	Long-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	40,988		12		(76		)	40,924			40,924
	Corporate bonds	90,277		281		(167		)	90,391					90,391
	Municipal debt securities	171,892		257		(126		)	172,023					172,023
	Other long-term investments (2)	3,000		—		—			3,000
	Long-term investments	306,157		550		(369		)	306,338			40,924		262,414		—
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments (1)	$	900,694	$	715	$	(407	)	$	901,002		$	76,259	$	401,674	$	—
	Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
	Assets	2,242		—		—			2,242			2,242		—		—
	Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets & other non-current assets
	Liabilities	2,242		—		—			2,242			2,242		—		—
	Included in accrued liabilities & other non-current liabilities
-1	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments exclude $3.2 million of restricted cash as of September 27, 2013.
-2	Other long-term investments as of September 27, 2013 include a cost method investment of $3.0 million that we subsequently recorded a write-off charge for during fiscal 2014 to reduce the carrying value to zero in recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment.
Fair Value Hierarchy.    Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We minimize the use of unobservable inputs and use observable market data, if available, when determining fair value. We classify our inputs to measure fair value using the following three-level hierarchy:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2: Prices may be based upon quoted prices in active markets or inputs not quoted on active markets but are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
We base the fair value of our Level 1 financial instruments, which are traded in active markets, using quoted market prices for identical instruments.
We obtain the fair value of our Level 2 financial instruments from a professional pricing service, which may use quoted market prices for identical or comparable instruments, or model driven valuations using observable market data or inputs corroborated by observable market data.
To validate the fair value determination provided by our primary pricing service, we perform quality controls over values received which include comparing our pricing service provider’s assessment of the fair values of our investment securities against the fair values of our investment securities obtained from another independent source, reviewing the pricing movement in the context of overall market trends, and reviewing trading information from our investment managers. In addition, we assess the inputs and methods used in determining the fair value in order to determine the classification of securities in the fair value hierarchy.
We did not own any Level 3 financial assets or liabilities as of September 26, 2014 or September 27, 2013.
Securities In Gross Unrealized Loss Position.    We periodically evaluate our investments for other-than- temporary declines in fair value. The unrealized losses on our available-for-sale securities were primarily as a result of unfavorable changes in interest rates subsequent to the initial purchase of these securities. The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013 (in thousands):
	September 26, 2014		September 27, 2013
	Fair Value	Gross Unrealized Losses (1)	Fair Value	Gross Unrealized Losses (1)
U.S. agency securities	$31,930	($9)	$21,407	($76)
Corporate bonds	78,166	-90	53,350	-174
Municipal debt securities	55,979	-35	72,485	-157
Total	$166,075	($134)	$147,242	($407)
-1	Our available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position were in such position for less than twelve months as of both September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013.
Although we had certain securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 26, 2014, we expect to recover the full carrying value of these securities as we do not intend to, nor do we currently anticipate a need to sell these securities prior to recovering the associated unrealized losses. As a result, we do not consider any portion of the unrealized losses at September 26, 2014 or September 27, 2013 to be an other-than-temporary impairment, nor do we consider any of the unrealized losses to be credit losses.
Investment Maturities.    The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets:
	September 26, 2014					September 27, 2013
	Amortized Cost		Fair Value			Amortized Cost			Fair Value
Due within 1 year	$	232,944	$	233,208		$	158,275		$	158,402
Due in 1 to 2 years	179,177		179,536			172,993			173,373
Due in 2 to 3 years	116,204		116,299			130,164			129,965
Total	$	528,325	$	529,043		$	461,432		$	461,740

Property_Plant_Equipment_Notes

Property, Plant & Equipment (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant & Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, with depreciation expense included in cost of products, cost of services, research & development expenses, sales & marketing expenses and general & administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Depreciation expense was $38.1 million, $37.4 million and $30.6 million in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Non-cash investing activities for property, plant and equipment additions were $8.7 million in fiscal 2014, and were immaterial for both fiscal 2013 and 2012.
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
	Property, Plant And Equipment	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	45,842		$	46,049
	Buildings	61,712			32,305
	Leasehold improvements	56,665			64,991
	Machinery and equipment	47,639			38,408
	Computer systems and software	108,225			91,939
	Furniture and fixtures	13,540			13,490
	Construction in progress	127,569			88,872
	Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	461,192			376,054
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(171,437		)	(133,137		)
	Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	$	289,755		$	242,917
	Purchase Of 1275 Market Commercial Office Building In San Francisco, CA.    During fiscal 2012, we purchased commercial office property in San Francisco, California for approximately $109.8 million. Based on a fair value analysis, we allocated $35.5 million of the property's purchase price to the land and $74.3 million to the building. We are currently in the process of making substantial improvements to the property for its intended use as our new worldwide headquarters. As such, construction-in-progress as of the end of both fiscal periods presented above includes the book value of the building and related costs of construction.
	Sale Of Properties In U.K.    During fiscal 2014, we sold the land and building from one of our properties located in Wootton Bassett, U.K for $3.3 million. In connection with the sale, we recognized a gain of $0.4 million in other income. Prior to sale, the carrying value of both the land and building sold as part of this transaction as well as a parcel of adjacent land not part of the sale were classified as held for sale and included in other current assets as management had previously committed to a plan to sell these properties. Management still intends to sell the remaining unsold parcel of land within the next twelve months, and will therefore continue to classify it as held for sale. Accordingly, other current assets as of September 26, 2014 includes the carrying value of this parcel of land of $1.0 million.
	Purchase Of Commercial Office Building In Sunnyvale, CA.    During fiscal 2014, we purchased a commercial office building in Sunnyvale, California for $19.7 million that we had been occupying under a 7.5 year lease that had not yet run its full term. The amount capitalized as the building’s new carrying value is comprised of the amount allocated to the building from the acquisition price in addition to the carrying value of existing leasehold improvements, less existing lease-related liabilities.

Goodwill_Intangible_Assets_Not

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill & Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):
		Goodwill
	Balance at September 28, 2012	$	281,375
	Translation adjustments	(1,651		)
	Balance at September 27, 2013	$	279,724
	Translation adjustments	(2,150		)
	Balance at September 26, 2014	$	277,574
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 26, 2014								September 27, 2013
	Intangible Assets, Net	Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
	Acquired patents and technology	$	99,262		$	(61,678	)	$	37,584	$	79,925	$	(51,267	)	$	28,658
	Customer relationships	30,717			(22,739		)	7,978		30,723		(19,592		)	11,131
	Other intangibles	38,694			(20,556		)	18,138		20,992		(19,466		)	1,526
	Total	$	168,673		$	(104,973	)	$	63,700	$	131,640	$	(90,325	)	$	41,315
	During fiscal 2014 we purchased various patents and developed technology for total cash consideration of approximately $38.0 million. These intangible assets have a weighted-average useful life of 13.6 years. These acquisitions facilitate our research and development efforts, technologies and potential product offerings.
	Amortization expense for our intangible assets is included in cost of licensing, cost of products, research & development and sales & marketing expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Amortization expense was $15.1 million, $15.8 million and $13.2 million in fiscal 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. As of September 26, 2014, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future periods is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year	Amortization Expense
	2015	$	14,378
	2016	12,214
	2017	9,100
	2018	3,952
	2019	3,414
	Thereafter	20,642
	Total	$	63,700

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation	'
	. Stockholders' Equity & Stock-Based Compensation
	We provide stock-based awards as a form of compensation for employees, officers and directors. We have issued stock-based awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs") and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") under our equity incentive plans, as well as shares under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).
	Common Stock - Class A and Class B
	Our Board of Directors has authorized two classes of common stock, Class A and Class B. At September 26, 2014, we had authorized 500,000,000 Class A shares and 500,000,000 Class B shares. At September 26, 2014, we had 50,658,627 shares of Class A common stock and 51,610,239 shares of Class B common stock issued and outstanding. Holders of our Class A and Class B common stock have identical rights, except that holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share. Shares of Class B common stock can be converted to shares of Class A common stock at any time at the option of the stockholder and automatically convert upon sale or transfer, except for certain transfers specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.
	Stock Incentive Plans
	2000 Stock Incentive Plan.    Effective October 2000, we adopted the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. The 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, provides for the issuance of incentive and non-qualified stock options to our employees, directors, and consultants to purchase up to 15.1 million shares of Class B common stock. Under the terms of this plan, options became exercisable as established by the Board of Directors (ratably over four years), and expire ten years after the date of the grant. Options issued under the plan were made at their grant-date fair market value. Subsequent to fiscal 2005, no further options were granted under this plan. The 2000 Stock Incentive Plan terminated on October 1, 2010 and no shares of our common stock remained available for future issuance under that plan other than pursuant to outstanding options. As of September 26, 2014, there were options outstanding to purchase 2,378 shares of Class B common stock, all of which were vested and exercisable, with a remaining weighted-average contractual life of 0.1 years.
	2005 Stock Plan.    In January 2005, our stockholders approved our 2005 Stock Plan, which our Board of Directors adopted in November 2004. The 2005 Stock Plan became effective on February 16, 2005, the day prior to the completion of our initial public offering. Our 2005 Stock Plan, as amended and restated, provides for the ability to grant incentive stock options ("ISOs"), nonstatutory stock options ("NQs"), restricted stock, RSUs, SARs, deferred stock units, performance units, performance bonus awards and performance shares. A total of 29.0 million shares of our Class A common stock is authorized for issuance under the 2005 Stock Plan. For awards granted prior to February 2011, any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and any shares subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as two shares for every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as two shares for every one share returned. For those awards granted from February 2011 onward, any shares subject to an award with a per share price less than the fair market value of our Class A common stock on the date of grant and any shares subject to an outstanding RSU award will be counted against the authorized share reserve as 1.6 shares for every one share subject to the award, and if returned to the 2005 Stock Plan, such shares will be counted as 1.6 shares for every one share returned.
	As of September 26, 2014, there were options outstanding to purchase 7.6 million shares of Class A common stock, of which 3.3 million were vested and exercisable. The options outstanding have a remaining weighted-average contractual life of 7.4 years.
	Stock Options.    Stock options are generally granted at fair market value on the date of grant. Options granted to employees and officers prior to June 2008 generally vest over four years, with equal annual cliff-vesting and expire on the earlier of 10 years after the date of grant or 3 months after termination of service. Options granted to employees and officers from June 2008 onward generally vest over four years, with 25% of the shares subject to the option becoming exercisable on the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the balance of the shares vesting in equal monthly installments over the following 36 months. These options expire on the earlier of 10 years after the date of grant or 3 months after termination of service. All options granted vest over the requisite service period and upon the exercise of stock options, we issue new shares of Class A common stock under the 2005 Stock Plan and new shares of Class B common stock under the 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. Our 2005 Stock Plan also allows us to grant stock awards which vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria.
	The following table summarizes information about stock options issued under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2005 Stock Plan:
		Shares		Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average	Aggregate
				Exercise Price			Remaining	Intrinsic
							Contractual Life	Value (1)
		(in thousands)					(in years)	(in thousands)
	Options outstanding at September 27, 2013	6,385		$	29.82
	Grants	2,523		38.16
	Exercises	(999	)	26.37
	Forfeitures and cancellations	(298	)	31.84
	Options outstanding at September 26, 2014	7,611		32.96			7.5	$	64,758
	Options vested and expected to vest at September 26, 2014	7,305		32.91			7.4	62,530
	Options exercisable at September 26, 2014	3,275		30.29			5.8	37,086
	-1	Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of our common stock on September 26, 2014 of $41.26 and excludes the impact of options that were not in-the-money.
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 26, 2014:
		Outstanding Options							Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price	Shares		Weighted-Average	Weighted-Average				Shares		Weighted-Average
				Remaining Contractual Life	Exercise Price						Exercise Price
		(in thousands)		(in years)					(in thousands)		(in years)
	$2.08 - $6.28	2		0.1	$	5.65			2		$	5.65
	$6.29 - $19.21	155		0.8	17.32				155		17.32
	$19.22 - 28.12	397		3.6	25.26				362		25.22
	$28.13 - $38.20	6,240		7.8	32.54				2,439		30.05
	$38.21 - $48.14	767		7.9	42.12				267		42.62
	$48.15 - $51.18	17		3.4	48.15				17		48.15
	$51.19 and above	33		5.2	58.78				33		58.78
		7,611							3,275
	Restricted Stock Units.    Beginning in fiscal 2008, we began granting RSUs to certain directors, officers and employees under our 2005 Stock Plan. Awards granted to employees and officers generally vest over four years, with equal annual cliff-vesting. Awards granted to directors prior to November 2010 generally vest over three years, with equal annual cliff-vesting. Awards granted after November 2010 and prior to fiscal 2014 to new directors vest over approximately two years, with 50% vesting per year, while awards granted from November 2010 onward to ongoing directors generally vest over approximately one year. Awards granted to new directors from fiscal 2014 onward vest on the earlier of the first anniversary of the award’s date of grant, or the day immediately preceding the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the award’s date of grant. Our 2005 Stock Plan also allows us to grant RSUs which vest based on the satisfaction of specific performance criteria, although no such awards have been granted as of September 26, 2014. At each vesting date, the holder of the award is issued shares of our Class A common stock. Compensation expense from these awards is equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
	The following table summarizes information about RSUs issued under our 2005 Stock Plan:
		Shares		Weighted-Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested at September 27, 2013	2,853		$	34.66
	Granted	1,298		38.49
	Vested	(1,012	)	36.22
	Forfeitures	(236	)	35.17
	Non-vested at September 26, 2014	2,903		35.79
	The fair value as of the respective vesting dates of RSUs was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	Restricted stock units - vest date fair value	$	40,810		$	27,013		$	14,239
	Stock Appreciation Rights.    We have previously granted stock appreciation rights to certain of our foreign employees. These awards are settled in cash rather than stock, and are classified as liability awards. This liability is classified within other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan.   Our plan allows eligible employees to have up to 10 percent of their eligible compensation withheld and used to purchase Class A common stock, subject to a maximum of $25,000 worth of stock purchased in a calendar year or no more than 1,000 shares in an offering period, whichever is less. An offering period consists of successive six-month purchase periods, with a look back feature to our stock price at the commencement of a one-year offering period. The plan provides for a discount equal to 15 percent of the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last day of the purchase period and for overlapping one-year offering periods. The plan also includes an automatic reset feature that provides for an offering period to be reset and recommenced to a new lower-priced offering if the offering price of a new offering period is less than that of the immediately preceding offering period.
	Stock Option Valuation Assumptions
	We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the estimated fair value of employee stock options at the date of the grant. The Black-Scholes model includes inputs that require us to make certain estimates and assumptions regarding the expected term of the award, as well as the future risk-free interest rate, and the volatility of our stock price over the expected term of the award.
	Expected Term.    The expected term of an award represents the estimated period of time that options granted will remain outstanding, and is measured from the grant date to the date at which the option is either exercised or canceled. Our determination of the expected term involves an evaluation of historical terms and other factors such as the exercise and termination patterns of our employees who hold options to acquire our common stock, and is based on certain assumptions made regarding the future exercise and termination behavior.
	Risk-Free Interest Rate.    The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield curve of United States Treasury instruments in effect on the date of grant. In determining an estimate for the risk-free interest rate, we use average interest rates based on these instruments’ constant maturities with a term that approximates and corresponds with the expected term of our awards.
	Expected Stock Price Volatility.    The expected volatility represents the estimated volatility in the price of our common stock over a time period that approximates the expected term of the awards, and is determined using a blended combination of historical and implied volatility. Historical volatility is representative of the historical trends in our stock price for periods preceding the measurement date since our initial public offering. Implied volatility is based upon externally traded option contracts of our common stock.
	Dividend Yield.    The dividend yield is based on our anticipated dividend payout over the expected term of our option awards. Aside from a special cash dividend paid in fiscal 2013 that was considered a one-time occurrence, the expected dividend yield for all option awards granted up until our fiscal year ended September 26, 2014, was zero. This reflected management’s intention that no dividends would be paid. As described within Part II, Item 5 "Market For Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities", our Board of Directors announced the initiation of a quarterly dividend to its stockholders on October 23, 2014. Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time. As a result, and beginning with the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the expected dividend yield will be revised to reflect this change in our dividend policy.
	The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
Expected term (in years)	4.58		4.37		4.53
Risk-free interest rate	1.4	%	0.5	%	0.7	%
Expected stock price volatility	32	%	40.1	%	43.8	%
Dividend yield	—		—		—
The following table summarizes the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
	2014			2013			2012
Stock options granted - weighted-average grant date fair value	$	11.11		$	10.23		$	12.23
Stock options exercised - intrinsic value	$	15,300		$	3,781		$	6,188
Compensation Expense
Stock-based compensation expense for equity awards granted to employees is determined by estimating their fair value on the date of grant, and recognizing that value as an expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period in which our employees earn the awards. Compensation expense related to these equity awards is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, which reduce the expense recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. We determine our estimated forfeiture rate based on an evaluation of historical forfeitures and revise our estimate, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from our estimate. The estimated forfeiture rate used for awards granted was as follows:
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
	2014		2013		2012
Estimated forfeiture rate	6.13	%	6.13	%	6.13	%
The following two tables separately present stock-based compensation expense both by award type and classification in our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands).
Compensation Expense - By Award Type
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			28-Sep-12
	2014			2013
Compensation Expense - By Type
Stock options (1)	$	19,680		$	21,334		$	23,550
Restricted stock units	42,221			39,644			22,952
Employee stock purchase plan	3,779			3,350			1,029
Stock appreciation rights	—			—			50
Total stock-based compensation	65,680			64,328			47,581
Benefit from income taxes	(19,315		)	(19,316		)	(14,930		)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	$	46,365		$	45,012		$	32,651
-1	Expense excludes $0.4 million in fiscal 2012 related to stock-based compensation which was capitalized to property, plant and equipment. No compensation cost was capitalized in either fiscal 2014 or 2013.
Compensation Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
	2014			2013			2012
Compensation Expense - By Classification
Cost of products	$	812		$	765		$	675
Cost of services	402			387			239
Research and development	18,510			17,117			11,553
Sales and marketing	23,236			21,507			16,233
General and administrative	22,720			22,685			18,881
Restructuring	—			1,867			—
Total stock-based compensation	65,680			64,328			47,581
Benefit from income taxes	(19,315		)	(19,316		)	(14,930		)
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	$	46,365		$	45,012		$	32,651
The tax benefit that we recognize from certain exercises of ISOs and shares issued under our ESPP are excluded from the tables above. This benefit was as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,			September 27,			28-Sep-12
	2014			2013
Tax benefit - stock option exercises & shares issued under ESPP	$	538		$	417		$	208
Unrecognized Compensation Expense.    At September 26, 2014, total unrecorded compensation expense associated with employee stock options expected to vest was approximately $43.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.7 years. At September 26, 2014, total unrecorded compensation expense associated with RSUs expected to vest was approximately $73.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.
Special Dividend and Equity Award Modification
On December 11, 2012, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend ("dividend") of $4.00 per share on our Class A and Class B common stock. The dividend was paid on December 27, 2012 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 21, 2012 ("Record Date"). Based on the 102,051,386 shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding as of the record date, the total dividend payment was $408.2 million.
In connection with the declaration of this dividend in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, we adjusted the number and exercise price of certain eligible outstanding stock options and SARs granted under our 2005 Stock Plan and 2000 Stock Incentive Plan in a manner intended to preserve the pre-cash dividend economic value of these awards. Eligible awards include stock options and SARs that were granted prior to December 2012 and were outstanding as of the day following the record date, with the exception of stock options held by employees in Australia that were not adjusted due to tax considerations. The modification of these existing awards at the dividend declaration date resulted in a total net incremental compensation cost of approximately $7.9 million, which is being recognized over the vesting periods of the original awards, determined on a grant-by-grant basis, based on the extent to which the awards were vested as of the date of modification. The incremental charge related to all fully-vested awards as of the modification date was recognized immediately in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, while the vesting period for those awards not fully-vested at the time of modification range from one to four years. Of the total incremental charge, approximately $1.2 million and $4.6 million was recognized in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively.
Additionally, all outstanding RSUs under the 2005 Stock Plan that were unvested on the day following the record date, including RSUs that were granted on the record date, were modified to allow for the granting of a dividend equivalent (as such term is defined in the 2005 Stock Plan) with respect to each share of our Class A common stock underlying the unvested RSU. The dividend equivalent is payable in cash in a per share amount equal to the per share cash dividend on the same date that the related underlying RSU shares vest. The granting of the dividend equivalent for all outstanding RSUs resulted in a total net incremental compensation cost of approximately $11.9 million, which is being recognized over the remaining vesting periods of the RSUs at the date of modification, determined on a grant-by-grant basis. These vesting periods range from one to four years beginning on the first anniversary of the grant. Of the total incremental charge, approximately $3.0 million and $4.3 million was recognized in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In November 2009, we announced a stock repurchase program ("program"), providing for the repurchase of up to $250.0 million of our Class A common stock. The following table summarizes the initial amount of authorized repurchases as well as additional repurchases approved by our Board of Directors as of September 26, 2014 (in thousands):
Authorization Period	Authorization Amount
Fiscal 2010: November 2009	$	250,000
Fiscal 2010: July 2010	300,000
Fiscal 2011: July 2011	250,000
Fiscal 2012: February 2012	100,000
Total	$	900,000
Stock repurchases under the program may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases, or otherwise, at times and in amounts that we consider appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of shares repurchased depend upon a variety of factors, including price, regulatory requirements, the rate of dilution from our equity compensation plans and other market conditions. The program does not have a specified expiration date, and can be limited, suspended or terminated at our discretion at any time without prior notice. Shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized but unissued shares of Class A common stock. As of September 26, 2014, the remaining authorization to purchase additional shares is approximately $60.0 million.
The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2014:
Quarterly Repurchase Activity	Shares		Cost (1)			Average Price Paid Per Share (2)
	Repurchased
			(in thousands)
Q1 - Quarter ended December 27, 2013	330,000		$	11,660		$	35.32
Q2 - Quarter ended March 28, 2014	—		—			—
Q3 - Quarter ended June 27, 2014	730,000		29,298			40.12
Q4 - Quarter ended September 26, 2014	330,000		15,070			45.65
Total	1,390,000		$	56,028
-1	Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share and applicable commissions.
-2	Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.
On October 23, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors approved an increase to the size of our stock repurchase program by an additional $200.0 million. Refer to Note 19 “Subsequent Events” for additional information.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Other comprehensive income ("OCI") consists of two components: unrealized gains or losses on our available-for-sale marketable investment securities and the gain or loss from foreign currency translation adjustments. Until realized and reported as a component of net income, these comprehensive income items accumulate and are included within accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), a subsection within stockholders’ equity in our consolidated balance sheet. Unrealized gains and losses on our investment securities are reclassified from AOCI into earnings when realized upon sale, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold. Gains and losses from the translation of assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are included in AOCI.
	The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended									Fiscal Year Ended
		26-Sep-14									27-Sep-13
		Unrealized Gain/Loss - Investments			Currency Translation Adjustments			Total			Unrealized Gain/Loss - Investments			Currency Translation Adjustments			Total
	Balance, Beginning Of Period	$	203		$	7,611		$	7,814		$	1,079		$	9,608		$	10,687
	Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications:
	Unrealized Gains/(Losses) - Investment Securities	801						801			(286		)				(286		)
	Foreign Currency Translation (Losses) (1)				(5,056		)	(5,056		)				(2,494		)	(2,494		)
	Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense) (2)	(286		)	(46		)	(332		)	104			497			601
	Net Of Tax	515			(5,102		)	(4,587		)	(182		)	(1,997		)	(2,179		)
	Amounts Reclassified From AOCI Into Earnings:
	Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities (1)	(368		)				(368		)	(1,083		)				(1,083		)
	Income Tax Effect - Expense (2)	155						155			389						389
	Net Of Tax	302			(5,102		)	(4,800		)	(876		)	(1,997		)	(2,873		)
	Balance, End Of Period	$	505		$	2,509		$	3,014		$	203		$	7,611		$	7,814
	-1	Realized gains or losses from the sale of our available-for-sale investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
	-2	The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. by the number of weighted-average shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding during the period. Through application of the treasury stock method, diluted EPS is computed in the same manner, except that the number of weighted-average shares outstanding is increased by the number of potentially dilutive shares from employee incentive plans during the period. Potentially dilutive shares include the hypothetical number of shares issued under the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, vesting of outstanding restricted stock units, and shares issued under our employee stock purchase plan.
	Basic and diluted EPS are computed independently for each fiscal quarter and year-to-date period presented, which involves the use of different weighted-average share count figures relating to quarterly and annual periods. As a result, and after factoring the effect of rounding to the nearest cent per share, the sum of all four quarter-to-date EPS figures may not equal year-to-date EPS.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28, 2012
		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$	206,103	$	189,271	$	264,302
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic	102,151		101,879		106,926
	Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock	582		287		493
	Potential common shares from restricted stock units	899		622		122
	Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted	103,632		102,788		107,541
	Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.:
	Basic	$	2.02	$	1.86	$	2.47
	Diluted	$	1.99	$	1.84	$	2.46
	Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation:
	Stock options	3,987		5,348		6,496
	Restricted stock units	1,835		1,817		2,550

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management's best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense.
	The components of our income before provision for income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	160,839		$	155,777		$	258,684
	Foreign	115,260			94,869			110,307
	Total	$	276,099		$	250,646		$	368,991
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	20,533		$	30,428		$	56,105
	State	543			691			2,922
	Foreign	52,999			49,003			43,659
	Total current	74,075			80,122			102,686
	Deferred:
	Federal	(2,345		)	(11,353		)	904
	State	(3,544		)	(4,748		)	521
	Foreign	(807		)	(3,677		)	(254		)
	Total deferred	(6,696		)	(19,778		)	1,171
	Provision for income taxes	$	67,379		$	60,344		$	103,857
	Repatriation of Undistributed Foreign Earnings
	Beginning in fiscal 2010, we initiated a policy election to indefinitely reinvest a portion of the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries with operations outside of the United States. We consider the earnings of these foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the U.S. on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. A majority of the amounts held outside of the U.S. are generally utilized to support non-U.S. liquidity needs in order to fund operations and other growth of our foreign subsidiaries and acquisitions.
	As a result, we have not recorded a deferred tax liability on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of approximately $322.4 million, which are permanently reinvested outside the U.S. If these undistributed earnings held by foreign subsidiaries are repatriated to the U.S., they may be subject to federal and state income taxes, less any applicable foreign tax credits and withholding taxes, estimated at approximately $78.1 million as of September 26, 2014. Accordingly, if a determination is made to repatriate some or all of these foreign earnings, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period that the determination is made to accrue for taxes payable on earnings that will no longer be indefinitely invested outside the U.S.
	Withholding Taxes
	We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a related foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. The foreign current tax includes this withholding tax expense while the appropriate foreign tax credit benefit is included in current federal and foreign taxes. Withholding taxes were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	Withholding Taxes	$	47,131		$	42,567		$	38,531
	Deferred Income Taxes
	Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, we believe it is more likely than not that the benefits of these deductible differences will be realized; therefore, a valuation allowance is not required. A summary of the tax effects of the temporary differences is as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Investments	$	2,033		$	2,115
	Accounts receivable	265			128
	Inventories	3,607			4,255
	Net operating loss	2,062			3,297
	U.S. state taxes	209			225
	Accrued expenses	16,759			11,985
	Stock-based compensation	30,455			29,428
	Revenue recognition	55,453			59,505
	Depreciation and amortization	4,423			—
	Research and development credits	5,153			4,002
	Foreign tax credits	2,854			3,512
	Other	8,312			7,503
	Total gross deferred income tax assets	131,585			125,955
	Less: valuation allowance	—			—
	Total deferred income tax assets	131,585			125,955
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Translation adjustment	(579		)	(880		)
	Intangibles	(450		)	(318		)
	International earnings	(1,960		)	(1,782		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(1,028		)
	Unrealized gain on investments	(405		)	(275		)
	Deferred income tax assets, net	$	128,191		$	121,672
	Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net - Balance Sheet Classification
	Current deferred income tax assets	$	86,445		$	84,238
Long-term deferred income tax assets, net	41,746			37,434
Deferred income tax assets, net	$	128,191		$	121,672
Net Operating Loss ("NOL") and Tax Credit Carryforwards
As part of our acquisition of IMM Sound in fiscal 2012, we acquired a NOL carryforward for Spanish tax purposes of $1.7 million. During fiscal 2013, we finalized our merger of IMM Sound into Dolby Iberia under Spanish tax laws, which resulted in a discrete benefit of $3.9 million in our tax provision for fiscal 2013. The discrete benefit reflects both the release of the $3.2 million deferred tax liability recorded on the acquisition date as a result of a step-up in the basis of IMM Sound’s tax assets to fair market value and an adjustment to our deferred tax assets by $0.7 million following a change in our estimated utilization of NOL carryforwards. As of September 26, 2014, our NOL carryforward was $1.2 million, and will expire in fiscal 2030 if unused.
As part of an acquisition in fiscal 2009, we acquired a NOL carryforward for federal and California tax purposes of $9.7 million and $9.6 million, respectively. The losses carried forward for federal and California tax purposes as of September 26, 2014 were $4.7 million and $9.6 million respectively, and will expire in fiscal 2029 if unused.
Effective Tax Rate
Each period, the combination of multiple different factors can impact our effective tax rate. These factors include both recurring items such as tax rates and the relative amount of income earned in foreign jurisdictions, as well as discrete items that may occur in, but are not necessarily consistent between periods. A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations is as follows:
	Fiscal Year Ended
	26-Sep-14		27-Sep-13		28-Sep-12
Federal statutory rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
State income taxes, net of federal effect	0.6		0.6		1.1
Stock-based compensation expense rate	1.4		1.3		0.5
Research and development tax credits	(1.6	)	(3.1	)	(1.1	)
Tax exempt interest	(0.2	)	(0.2	)	(0.3	)
U.S. manufacturing tax incentives	(2.0	)	(2.3	)	(2.1	)
Foreign rate differential	(8.9	)	(4.5	)	(5.3	)
Foreign reversal of deferred tax liabilities	—		(3.0	)	—
Other	0.1		0.3		0.3
Effective tax rate	24.4	%	24.1	%	28.1	%
Our effective tax rate increased from 24.1% in fiscal 2013 to 24.4% in fiscal 2014. Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2014 reflects reduced benefits from federal research and development tax credits that were retroactively reinstated in January 2013 and which expired in December 2013. Additionally, we received a benefit to our effective tax rate in fiscal 2013 related to the re-organization of a foreign subsidiary which resulted in the release of certain deferred tax liabilities. The overall increase in the rate was partially offset by the fact that our effective tax rate in fiscal 2014 reflects a higher proportion of our overall earnings being attributable to lower tax-rate jurisdictions.
Our effective tax rate decreased from 28.1% in fiscal 2012 to 24.1% in fiscal 2013. During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, a change in the tax law retroactively reinstated the federal research and development tax credits for a portion of fiscal year 2012. As a result, we recognized an increase in federal research and development tax credits for fiscal 2013, as compared to fiscal 2012, thereby lowering our effective tax rate. Additionally, in fiscal 2013, we reorganized the operations of certain foreign subsidiaries associated with previous acquisitions. The reorganizations resulted in the release of $7.4 million in deferred tax liabilities representing accrued federal taxes and amortization of intangible assets, which benefited our effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 by 3%.
Uncertain Tax Positions
As of September 26, 2014, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $31.4 million, of which $21.4 million, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. We estimate that our unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by $0.7 million in the next twelve months as a result of the expected settlement of currently ongoing audit and the expiration of certain statute of limitations. Our net liability for unrecognized tax benefits is classified within other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012
Balance at beginning of year	$	32,468		$	16,880		$	8,683
Gross increases - tax positions taken during prior years	3,249			16,865			3,156
Gross decreases - tax positions taken during prior years	—			—			(493		)
Increases in balances related to tax positions taken during current year	—			2,639			6,770
Lapse of statute of limitations	(4,366		)	(3,064		)	(1,236		)
Settlements	—			(852		)	—
Balance at end of year	$	31,351		$	32,468		$	16,880
Classification of Interest and Penalties
We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reduced in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision. In fiscal 2014, our current tax provision was increased by interest expense of $0.7 million and reduced by penalties of $0.5 million, while in fiscal 2013, our current tax provision was increased by interest expense of $0.4 million and reduced by penalties of $0.4 million. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line item in our consolidated balance sheets. Our accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 26,			September 27,
	2014			2013
Accrued interest	$	2,390		$	1,680
Accrued penalties	1,022			1,536
Total	$	3,412		$	3,216
We continue to monitor the progress of ongoing income tax controversies and the impact, if any, of the expected tolling of the statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions. Considering these facts, we do not currently believe there is a reasonable possibility of any significant change to our total unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.
We file income tax returns in the United States on a federal basis and in several U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions. Our most significant tax jurisdictions are the U.S., the United Kingdom ("U.K."), Australia, the Netherlands and the states of New York and California. Our tax filings remain subject to examination by applicable tax authorities for a certain length of time following the tax year to which those filings relate. We are no longer subject to examinations by the Internal Revenue Service through the 2010 fiscal year, for U.S. federal tax purposes, and through the 2007 fiscal year by the appropriate governmental agencies for U.K. tax purposes. In addition, we are no longer subject to examination by the state of New York through the 2011 fiscal year for income tax purposes. Our California filings are no longer subject to examination through the 2005 fiscal year by the appropriate California agency. Other significant jurisdictions include Australia, Sweden and Canada, and they are no longer subject to examinations through the years 2007, 2007 and 2010, respectively. We do not believe that the outcome of any ongoing examination will have a material impact on our financial statements.

Restructuring

Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]	'
Restructuring	'
	Restructuring
	Fiscal 2014 Restructuring Plan.    In October 2013, we implemented a plan to reorganize and consolidate certain activities and positions within our global business infrastructure. As a result, we recorded $3.3 million in restructuring costs during the fiscal year-to-date period ended September 26, 2014, representing severance and other related benefits offered to approximately 50 employees that were affected as a result of this action.
	Changes in restructuring accruals under this restructuring plan were as follows (in thousands):
		Severance and associated costs
	Restructuring charges	$	3,301
	Cash payments	(3,164		)
	Non-cash and other adjustments	9
	Balance at September 26, 2014	$	146
	Fiscal 2013 Restructuring Program.    In April 2013, we implemented a plan to reorganize certain activities and personnel within our marketing function under a strategic restructuring program, and as a result, recognized approximately $5.9 million in restructuring costs during fiscal 2013. This charge included $2.8 million in severance and other related benefits offered to approximately 36 employees that were affected as a result of this action and $1.9 million of stock-based compensation expense for previously awarded grants that vested through the second quarter of fiscal 2014 pursuant to their original vesting schedule. Expenses of $1.2 million associated with the exit of a facility are also included in restructuring charges in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
	During fiscal 2014, we recognized a $0.7 million credit representing the release of a facility exit obligation accrued under our fiscal 2013 Restructuring Plan following the sale of certain property located in Wootton Bassett, U.K. Changes in restructuring accruals under the fiscal 2013 restructuring program were as follows (in thousands):
		Severance and associated			Facilities and			Total
		costs			contract
					termination costs
	Restructuring charges	$	4,723		$	1,151		$	5,874
	Cash payments	(2,097		)	(108		)	(2,205		)
	Other non-cash adjustments	(1,832		)	—			(1,832		)
	Balance at September 27, 2013	$	794		$	1,043		$	1,837
	Restructuring charges	—			(898		)	(898		)
	Cash payments	(794		)	—			(794		)
	Other non-cash adjustments	—			(145		)	(145		)
	Balance at September 26, 2014	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Accruals for restructuring charges are included within accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets while restructuring charges are included within restructuring charges in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments And Contingencies	'
	Commitments & Contingencies
	In the ordinary course of business, we enter into contractual agreements with third parties that include non-cancelable payment obligations, for which we are liable in future periods. These arrangements can include terms binding us to minimum payments and/or penalties if we terminate the agreement for any reason other than an event of default as described by the agreement. The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 26, 2014 (in thousands):
		Payments Due By Fiscal Period
		Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal		Thereafter		Total
		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	Naming rights	$	7,432	$	7,525	$	7,619	$	7,715	$	7,811	$	110,888	$	148,990
	Donation commitments	—		—		6,045		67		67		805		6,984
	Operating leases	14,384		9,690		8,246		7,040		6,194		34,034		79,588
	Purchase obligations	9,442		1,825		47		—		—		—		11,314
	Total	$	31,258	$	19,040	$	21,957	$	14,822	$	14,072	$	145,727	$	246,876
	Naming Rights.     In fiscal 2012, we entered into an agreement for naming rights and related benefits with respect to the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, the location of the Academy Awards®. The term of the agreement is 20 years, over which we will make payments on a semi-annual basis. Our payment obligations are conditioned in part on the Academy Awards® being held and broadcast from the Dolby Theatre.
	Donation Commitments.     On fiscal 2014, we entered into a non-cancelable obligation to donate and install imaging and audio products to the Museum of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles, California, and provide maintenance services for fifteen years from its expected opening date in 2017.
	Operating Lease Payments.     Operating lease payments represent our commitments for future minimum rent made under non-cancellable leases for office space, including those payable to our principal stockholder and portions attributable to the controlling interests in our wholly owned subsidiaries. The following table summarizes information about our total rental expenses under operating leases, including rent payable to our principal stockholder (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Rent expense	$	14,278	$	13,092	$	13,463
	Rent payable to principal stockholder	2,125		1,375		1,372
	Purchase Obligations.     Purchase obligations primarily consist of our commitments made under agreements to purchase goods and services for purposes that include IT and telecommunications, marketing and professional services, and manufacturing and other research and development activities.
	Indemnification Clauses.     On a limited basis, our contractual agreements will contain a clause under which we have agreed to provide indemnification to the counterparty, most commonly to licensees in connection with licensing arrangements that include our intellectual property. Additionally, and although not a contractual requirement, we have at times elected to defend our licensees from third party intellectual property infringement claims. Since the terms and conditions of our contractual indemnification clauses do not explicitly specify our obligations, we are unable to reasonably estimate the maximum potential exposure for which we could be liable. Furthermore, we have not historically made any payments in connection with any such obligation and believe there to be a remote likelihood that any potential exposure in future periods would be of a material amount. As a result, no amounts have been accrued in our consolidated financial statements with respect to the contingent aspect of these indemnities.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	Doremi Labs.     On October 31, 2014, we completed our acquisition of Doremi Labs upon approval following United States and International regulatory review. Refer to Note 19 “Subsequent Events” for additional information related to this transaction.
	IMM Sound.     In fiscal 2012, we acquired all outstanding shares of IMM Sound, S.A. (“IMM Sound”), a privately held company based in Barcelona, Spain, that develops and markets enhanced 3D sound for the digital film industry. We believe that this technology complements our Dolby Atmos technology released two years ago. We accounted for the IMM Sound acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. We completed the acquisition for a gross purchase price of $26.5 million, which included cash payments of $18.4 million, debt repayment of $0.6 million, and the assumption of net liabilities of $7.5 million. Purchase consideration, net of cash acquired of $0.4 million, was $18.0 million.
	Pursuant to the purchase agreement, we retained $6.0 million of the total purchase consideration for a twenty-four month period following the closing of the acquisition. Upon the lapse of this twenty-four month period and satisfaction of certain indemnification obligations of IMM Sound's shareholders, a payment of $6.7 million was made during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. Although this amount did not accrue interest, fluctuations in currency exchange rates resulted in a payment which exceeded the amount initially accrued as a liability.
	The following table summarizes the allocation of the total purchase consideration to the total fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date (in thousands):
		Purchase Price Allocation
	Current assets	$	1,289
	Property, plant and equipment, net	264
	Intangible assets, net
	Developed technology	12,649
	Trade name	590
	Goodwill	15,988
	Current liabilities	(9,674		)
	Deferred taxes, net	(2,721		)
	Non-current liabilities	(22		)
	Total purchase price	$	18,363
	The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were determined by management based on information available at the date of acquisition. We are amortizing the acquired intangible assets over their estimated useful lives, which is five years for the developed technology and one year for the trade name. For tax purposes, a deferred tax liability of $3.2 million was recorded on the acquisition date for the difference between the book and tax basis of the acquired intangible assets. The value of acquired intangibles was determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. The goodwill acquired as part of the acquisition, which is non tax-deductible, is representative of our expectation of the benefits and synergies from the integration of IMM Sound technology with our existing technology. We incurred acquisition-related transaction costs of $0.4 million in fiscal 2012, which were included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp

Operating Segments and Geographic Data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments and Geographic Data	'
	Operating Segments & Geographic Information
	Operating Segments.    Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available, and which are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Our chief operating decision-maker ("CODM") is our Chief Executive Officer. Reporting segments are operating segments exceeding specified revenue, profit or loss, or asset thresholds for which separate disclosure of information is necessary.
	We operate as a single reporting segment. This reflects the fact that our CODM evaluates the Company’s financial information and resources, and assesses the performance of these resources on a consolidated basis. Since the Company operates as one reporting segment, all required financial segment information is included in the consolidated financial statements.
	Geographic Information.    Revenue by geographic region, which was determined based on the location of our licensees’ headquarters for licensing revenue, the destination to which we ship our products for products revenue, and the location where we perform our services for services revenue, was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
	Location	September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	316,256		$	255,956		$	299,992
	International	643,920			653,718			633,022
	Total revenue	$	960,176		$	909,674		$	933,014
	The concentration of our revenue from individual geographic regions was as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
	Location	September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	33	%	28	%	32	%
	South Korea	20	%	20	%	17	%
	Japan	13	%	18	%	18	%
	Europe	12	%	13	%	15	%
	China	12	%	9	%	6	%
	Other	10	%	12	%	12	%
	Total	100	%	100	%	100	%
	Long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):
	Location	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	United States	$	257,064		$	188,580
	International	32,691			54,337
	Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation	$	289,755		$	242,917

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]	'
Legal Proceedings	'
	Legal Proceedings
	In December 2013, the Korean Fair Trade Commission (“KFTC”) initiated a review of the Company under Korean competition law. In March 2014, the National Development and Reform Commission of China (“NDRC”) initiated a review under the Chinese competition laws. The KFTC and NDRC have requested information relating to our business practices in Korea and China, respectively. We are cooperating with the KFTC and NDRC as they conduct their reviews.
	We are involved in various legal proceedings that occasionally arise in the normal course of business. These can include claims of alleged infringement of intellectual property rights, commercial, employment and other matters. In our opinion, resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material adverse impact on our operating results or financial condition. Given the unpredictable nature of legal proceedings, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings could materially affect our future operating results or financial condition in a particular period; however, based on the information known by us as of the date of this filing and the rules and regulations applicable to the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, any such amount is either immaterial, or it is not possible to provide an estimated amount of any such potential loss.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Related Party Transactions
	We are the managing member or general partner in entities which own and lease commercial property in the United States and United Kingdom. Our principal stockholder is the limited member or limited partner, but with a majority economic interest, in each of these entities. These entities were established for the purposes of purchasing and leasing commercial property primarily for our use, and the debt service used to finance the purchase of these properties was paid in full during fiscal 2010. While a portion of the property is leased to third parties, we occupy a majority of the space. Therefore, since these affiliated entities are an integrated part of our operations, we have consolidated the entities’ assets and liabilities and results of operations in our consolidated financial statements. The share of earnings and net assets of the entities attributable to the limited member or limited partner, as the case may be, is reflected as controlling interest in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
	Our ownership interest in these consolidated affiliated entities and the location of the property leased to Dolby Laboratories as of September 26, 2014 is as follows:
	Entity Name	Minority Ownership Interest		Property Location
	Dolby Properties, LLC	37.5	%	San Francisco, CA
	Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC	49	%	Brisbane, CA
	Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC	49	%	Burbank, CA
	Dolby Properties United Kingdom, LLC	49	%	Wootton Bassett, England
	Dolby Properties, LP	10	%	Wootton Bassett, England
	We lease our primary San Francisco, California corporate offices from our principal stockholder under a term that expires on October 31, 2024. Related party rent expense included in operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,		September 28,
		2014			2013		2012
	Related party rent expense included in operating expenses	$	2,125		$	2,526	$	1,372
	Distributions made by these entities to our principal stockholder were as follows (in millions):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,		September 28,
		2014			2013		2012
	Distributions to principal stockholder	$	—		$	5	$	0.1

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	Retirement Plans
	We maintain a tax-qualified Section 401(k) retirement plan for employees in the United States and similar plans in foreign jurisdictions. Under the plan, employees are eligible to receive matching contributions and profit-sharing contributions from the Company.
	We also maintain a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"), a non-qualified, employer-funded retirement plan for certain senior executives employed in the United States. The plan was adopted in October 2004 prior to our initial public offering and was terminated in fiscal 2005. We have not made any contributions to the SERP since fiscal 2006. The purpose of the plan was to provide these executives with the opportunity to receive retirement income benefits in addition to the benefits generally available to all employees. The benefits provided to participants were based on defined contributions that we made to the plan and the gains and losses on the investment of those contributions. At September 26, 2014, the balance in the SERP account represents amounts contributed prior to the plan's termination, with the underlying plan investments consisting primarily of mutual fund investments. SERP assets are included within prepaid expenses and other current assets and within other non-current assets, while SERP liabilities are included within accrued liabilities and within other non-current liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
	Retirement plan expenses, which are included in cost of products, cost of services, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations, are as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Retirement plan expenses	$	17,369	$	15,810	$	12,909

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)	'
	Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
		Fiscal Year 2014								Fiscal Year 2013
		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue:
	Licensing	$	205,660	$	258,616	$	205,625	$	208,943	$	204,876	$	226,455	$	184,707	$	191,043
	Products	18,104		14,563		12,971		13,581		25,498		17,726		17,381		19,998
	Services	7,513		5,413		4,754		4,433		6,228		5,165		4,986		5,611
	Total revenue	231,277		278,592		223,350		226,957		236,602		249,346		207,074		216,652
	Cost of revenue	21,382		17,505		18,869		12,420		25,605		23,283		24,340		23,491
	Gross margin	209,895		261,087		204,481		214,537		210,997		226,063		182,734		193,161
	Income before taxes and controlling interest	60,701		102,922		51,814		60,662		69,059		84,872		37,847		58,868
	Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories	$	44,515	$	75,868	$	39,779	$	45,941	$	51,349	$	61,911	$	30,216	$	45,795
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.44	$	0.74	$	0.39	$	0.45	$	0.5	$	0.61	$	0.3	$	0.45
	Diluted	$	0.43	$	0.73	$	0.38	$	0.44	$	0.5	$	0.6	$	0.29	$	0.44
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic	101,750		102,291		102,350		102,211		102,361		101,638		101,751		101,768
	Diluted	103,192		103,934		103,942		104,116		103,523		102,680		103,031		102,976

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	Acquisition Of Doremi Labs.    On October 31, 2014, we completed the acquisition of Doremi Labs ("Doremi"), a privately held company, for $92.5 million in cash, and up to an additional $20.0 million in contingent consideration that may be earned over a four-year period. Doremi is a leading developer and manufacturer of digital cinema servers and the acquisition is expected to complement our efforts to promote further adoption of Dolby Atmos. We are in the process of allocating the purchase price to the acquired assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the date of closing. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to the valuation of intangible assets acquired, deferred revenues, warranty accruals, contingencies, taxes and residual goodwill.
	Dividend.    On October 23, 2014, we announced the initiation of a quarterly dividend to stockholders, with the first quarterly dividend declared by our Board of Directors on October 21, 2014. The first dividend payment of $0.10 per share of Class A and Class B Common Stock will be paid on November 20, 2014 to the stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 3, 2014. Based on the 102,282,102 shares of common stock outstanding as of the record date, the total dividend payment will be $10.2 million. Dividend declarations and the establishment of future record and payment dates are subject to the Board of Directors’ continuing determination that the dividend policy is in the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. The dividend policy may be changed or canceled at the discretion of the Board of Directors at any time.
	Share Repurchase Program.    On October 23, 2014, we announced that our Board of Directors approved an increase to the size of our stock repurchase program by an additional $200.0 million, bringing the amount available for future repurchases of the Company’s Class A Common Stock to $260 million. Stock repurchases under this program may be made through open market transactions, negotiated purchases or otherwise, at times and in such amounts as the Company considers appropriate. The timing of repurchases and the number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, the rate of dilution from the Company's equity compensation programs, regulatory requirements, and other market conditions. The Company may limit, suspend, or terminate the stock repurchase program at any time without prior notice. Any shares repurchased under the program will be returned to the status of authorized, but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock.

Basis_Of_Presentation_Organiza

Basis Of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Principles Of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Dolby Laboratories and our wholly owned subsidiaries. In addition, we have consolidated the financial results of jointly owned affiliated companies in which our principal stockholder has a controlling interest. We report these controlling interests as a separate line in our consolidated statements of operations as net income attributable to controlling interest and in our consolidated balance sheets as a controlling interest. We eliminate all intercompany accounts and transactions upon consolidation.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimated selling prices for elements sold in multiple-element revenue arrangements; valuation allowances for accounts receivable; carrying values of inventories and certain property, plant, and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets; fair values of investments, accrued liabilities including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, deferred income tax assets and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Fiscal Year	'
	Fiscal Year
	Our fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Friday in September. The fiscal years presented herein include the 52 week periods ended September 26, 2014 (fiscal 2014), September 27, 2013 (fiscal 2013), and September 28, 2012 (fiscal 2012).
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications
	We have reclassified certain prior period amounts within our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes to conform to our current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect total revenue, operating income, operating cash flows or net income.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash, cash equivalents, investments, and accounts receivable. Our investment portfolio consists of investment grade securities diversified amongst security types, industries, and issuers. All our securities are held in custody by a recognized financial institution. Our policy limits the amount of credit exposure to a maximum of 5% to any one issuer, except for the U.S. Treasury, and we believe no significant concentration risk exists with respect to these investments. Our products are sold to businesses primarily in the Americas and Europe, and the majority of our licensing revenue is generated from customers outside of the U.S. We manage this risk by evaluating in advance the financial condition and creditworthiness of our products and services customers and performing regular evaluations of the creditworthiness of our licensing customers. In fiscal 2014 and 2013, one customer accounted for approximately 11% and 12% of our total revenue, respectively, while in fiscal 2012, a different customer accounted for approximately 14% of our total revenue.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	We consider all short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of funds held in general checking accounts, money market accounts, commercial paper, and U.S. agency notes.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheets consist of cash contributed by third-party licensors to Via, our wholly-owned subsidiary, that may only be used in defending patent pools administered by Via.
Investments	'
	Investments
	All of our investments are classified as available-for-sale securities, with the exception of our mutual fund investments held in our supplemental retirement plan, which are classified as trading securities. Investments that have an original maturity of 91 days or more at the date of purchase and a current maturity of less than one year are classified as short-term investments, while investments with a current maturity of more than one year are classified as long-term investments. Our investments are recorded at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on our available-for-sale securities are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI"), while realized gains and losses, other-than-temporary impairments, and credit losses are reported as a component of net income. Upon sale, gains and losses are reclassified from AOCI into earnings, and are determined based on specific identification of securities sold.
	We evaluate our investment portfolio for credit losses and other-than-temporary impairments by comparing the fair value with the cost basis for each of our investment securities. An investment is impaired if the fair value is less than its cost basis. If any portion of the impairment is deemed to be the result of a credit loss, the credit loss portion of the impairment is included as a component of net income. If we deem it probable that we will not recover the full cost basis of the security, the security is other-than-temporarily impaired and the impairment loss is recognized as a component of net income.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	We continually monitor customer payments and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from our customers’ inability to make required payments. In determining the reserve, we evaluate the collectibility of our accounts receivable based upon a variety of factors. In cases where we are aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, we record a specific allowance against amounts due, and thereby reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectible. For all other customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on our actual historical write-off experience in conjunction with the length of time the receivables are past due, the creditworthiness of the customer, geographic risk and the current business environment. Actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ from our estimates.
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market (net realizable value). We evaluate our ending inventories for estimated excess quantities and obsolescence. Our evaluation includes the analysis of future sales demand by product within specific time horizons. Inventories in excess of projected future demand are written down to their net realizable value. In addition, we assess the impact of changing technology on our inventory balances and write-off inventories that are considered obsolete. Write-downs and write-offs of inventory are recorded as a cost of products in our consolidated statements of operations. We classify inventory that we do not expect to sell within twelve months as other non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets.
Property, Plant, and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table:
	PP&E Category	Useful Life (Depreciable Base)
	Computer systems and software	3 to 5 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 8 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 8 years
	Leasehold improvements	Lesser of useful life or related lease term
	Buildings	Up to 40 years
	We capitalize certain costs incurred during the construction phase of a project or asset into construction-in-progress until the construction process is complete. Once the related asset is placed into service, we transfer its carrying value into the appropriate fixed asset category and depreciate the value over its useful life. As of September 26, 2014, construction-in-progress included the book value and related construction costs for the 1275 Market Street Building that we purchased in fiscal 2012 as we are currently in the process of making substantial improvements to the property in order to prepare the building for its intended use as our new worldwide headquarters.
Internal Use Software	'
	Internal Use Software
	We account for the costs of computer software developed for internal use by capitalizing costs of materials and external consultants. These costs are included in PP&E, net on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages are charged to expense. Our capitalized internal use software costs are typically amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of three to five years.
Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets	'
	Goodwill, Intangible Assets, and Long-Lived Assets
	We test goodwill for impairment annually during our third fiscal quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, we adopted the provisions of the FASB's accounting standard (ASU 2011-08) which permits the execution of a qualitative assessment as a determinant for whether the two-step annual goodwill impairment test should be performed.
	In performing the qualitative assessment, we consider events and circumstances, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, changes in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit's net assets, and changes in the price of our common stock. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then the two-step goodwill impairment test is not performed.
	If the two-step goodwill test is performed, we evaluate and test our goodwill for impairment at a reporting-unit level using expected future cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill over the calculated fair value of the goodwill. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below. Our operating segments are aligned with the management principles of our business.
	We completed our annual goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2014 in the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 2014 at which time the consolidated balance of goodwill totaled $280.0 million. After performing step one of the two-step goodwill impairment assessment which confirmed that the fair value of all reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value, we determined that goodwill was not impaired. We did not incur any goodwill impairment losses in either fiscal 2014, 2013, or 2012.
	Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Our intangible assets principally consist of acquired technology, patents, trademarks, customer relationships and contracts, the majority of which are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives using a range from three to seventeen years.
	We review long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment whenever events or a change in circumstances indicate an asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability of an asset is measured by comparing its carrying value to the total future undiscounted cash flows that the asset is expected to generate. If it is determined that an asset is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded in the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds its estimated fair value.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	We enter into revenue arrangements with our customers to license technologies, trademarks and other aspects of our technological expertise and to sell products and services. We recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been completed, the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable.
	Multiple Element Arrangements.  Some of our revenue arrangements include multiple elements (“MEs”), such as hardware, software, maintenance and other services. We evaluate each element in a multiple-element arrangement to determine whether it represents a separate unit of accounting. An element constitutes a separate unit of accounting when it has standalone value and delivery of an undelivered element is both probable and within our control. When these criteria are not met, the delivered and undelivered elements are combined and the arrangement fees are allocated to this combined single unit. If the unit separation criteria are met, we account for each element within a ME arrangement (such as hardware, software, maintenance and other services) separately, whereby the total arrangement fees are allocated to each element based on its relative selling price, which we establish using a selling price hierarchy. We determine the selling price of each element based on its vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”), if available, third party evidence (“TPE”), if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price (“ESP”), if neither VSOE nor TPE is available.
	For some arrangements, customers receive certain elements over a period of time, after delivery of the initial product. These elements may include support and maintenance or the right to receive upgrades. Revenue allocated to the undelivered element is recognized either over its estimated service period or when the upgrade is delivered. We do not recognize revenue that is contingent upon the future delivery of products or services or upon future performance obligations. We recognize revenue for delivered elements only when we have completed all contractual obligations.
	We determine our ESP for an individual element within a ME revenue arrangement using the same methods used to determine the selling price of an element sold on a standalone basis. If we sell the element on a standalone basis, we estimate the selling price by considering actual sales prices. Otherwise, we estimate the selling price by considering internal factors such as pricing practices and margin objectives. Consideration is also given to market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer demands and industry technology lifecycles. Management applies judgment to establish margin objectives, pricing strategies and technology lifecycles.
	We account for the majority of our digital cinema server and processor sales as ME arrangements that may include up to four separate units, or elements, of accounting.
	▪	The first element consists of our digital cinema server hardware and the accompanying software, which is essential to the functionality of the hardware. This element is typically delivered at the time of sale.
	▪	The second element is the right to receive support and maintenance, which is included with the purchase of the hardware element and is typically delivered over a service period subsequent to the initial sale.
	▪	The third element is the right to receive specified upgrades, which is included with the purchase of the hardware element and is typically delivered when a specified upgrade is available, subsequent to the initial sale. Under revenue recognition accounting standards, sales of our digital cinema servers typically result in the allocation of a substantial majority of the arrangement fees to the delivered hardware element based on its ESP, which we recognize as revenue at the time of sale once delivery has occurred. A small portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to the undelivered support and maintenance element, and in some cases, to the undelivered specified upgrade element based on the VSOE or ESP of each element. The portion of the arrangement fees allocated to the support and maintenance element are recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated service period, and the portion of the arrangement fees allocated to specified upgrades are recognized as revenue upon delivery of the upgrade.
	▪	The fourth element is the right to receive commissioning services performed solely in connection with our digital servers necessary for the installation of Dolby Atmos-enabled theatres. These services consist of the review of venue designs specifying proposed speaker placement, as well as calibration services performed for installed speakers to ensure optimal playback. A small portion of the arrangement fee is allocated to these services based on their ESP which we recognize as revenue once the services have been completed.
	Software Arrangements.  Revenue recognition for transactions that involve software, such as fees we earn from certain system licensees, may include multiple elements. For some of our ME arrangements, customers receive certain elements over a period of time or after delivery of the initial software. These elements may include support and maintenance. The fair values of these elements are recognized over the estimated period for which these elements will be delivered, which is sometimes the estimated life of the software. If we do not have VSOE of fair value for any undelivered element included in these ME arrangements for software, we defer revenue until all elements are delivered or services have been performed, or until we have VSOE of fair value for all remaining undelivered elements. If the undelivered element is support and we do not have fair value for the support element, revenue for the entire arrangement is bundled and recognized ratably over the support period.
	In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay a fixed fee for units they may distribute in the future. These fees are generally recognized upon contract execution, unless the arrangement includes contingency terms or is considered a ME arrangement.
	Licensing.  Our licensing revenue is primarily derived from royalties paid to us by licensees of our intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, and trade secrets. Royalties are recognized when all revenue recognition criteria have been met. We determine that there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement upon the execution of a license agreement or upon the receipt of a licensee’s royalty report and payment. Generally, royalties are deemed fixed or determinable upon receipt of a licensee’s royalty report in accordance with the terms of the underlying executed agreement. We determine collectibility based on an evaluation of the licensee’s recent payment history, the existence of a standby letter-of-credit between the licensee’s financial institution and our financial institution, and other factors. If we cannot determine that collectibility is probable, we recognize revenue upon receipt of cash, provided that all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Corrective royalty statements generally comprise less than 1% of our net licensing revenue and are recognized when received, or earlier if a reliable estimate can be made of an anticipated reduction in revenue from a prior royalty statement. An estimate of anticipated reduction in revenue based on historical negative correction royalty statements is also recorded. Deferred revenue represents amounts that we have already collected that are ultimately expected to be recognized as revenue, but for which not all revenue recognition criteria have been met. Licensing revenue also includes fees we earn for administering joint patent licensing programs (“patent pools”) containing patents owned by us and/or other companies. Royalties related to patent pools are recorded net of royalties payable to third party patent pool members and are recognized when all revenue recognition criteria have been met.
	We generate the majority of our licensing revenue through our licensing contracts with original equipment manufacturers ("system licensees") and implementation licensees. Our revenue recognition policies for each of these arrangements are summarized below.
	Licensing to system licensees.  We license our technologies to system licensees who manufacture consumer electronics products and, in return, the system licensee pays us a royalty generally for each unit shipped that incorporates our technologies. Royalties from system licensees are generally recognized upon receipt of a royalty report from the licensee and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. In certain cases, our arrangements require the licensee to pay up-front, non-refundable royalties for units they may distribute in the future. These up-front fees are generally recognized upon contract execution, unless the arrangement includes extended payment terms or is considered a multiple element arrangement. In addition, in some cases we receive initial license fees for our technologies and provide post-contract support. In these cases we recognize the initial fees ratably over the expected support term.
	Licensing to software vendors.  We license our technologies for resale to software vendors and, in return, the software vendor pays us a royalty for each unit of software distributed that incorporates our technologies. Royalties from software vendors are generally recognized upon receipt of a royalty report from the licensee and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. In addition, in some cases we receive initial license fees for our technologies and provide post-contract upgrades and support. In these cases, we recognize the initial fees ratably over the expected support term, as VSOE of fair value typically does not exist for the upgrade and support elements of the contract.
	Product Sales.  Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when the risk of ownership has transferred to our customer, as provided under the terms of the governing purchase agreement, and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. Generally, these purchase agreements provide that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, except in specific instances in which certain foreign regulations stipulate that the risk of ownership is transferred to the customer upon their receipt of the shipment. In these instances, we recognize revenue when the product is received by the customer.
	Services.  Services revenue is recognized as completed and when all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.
Cost of Revenue	'
	Cost of Revenue
	Cost of licensing.  Cost of licensing primarily consists of amortization expenses associated with purchased intangible assets and intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Cost of licensing also includes royalty obligations to third parties for licensing intellectual property rights as part of arrangements with our customers.
	Cost of products.  Cost of products primarily consists of the cost of materials related to products sold, applied labor, and manufacturing overhead. Our cost of products also includes third party royalty obligations paid to license intellectual property that we include in our products.
	Cost of services.  Cost of services primarily consists of the personnel and personnel-related costs of employees performing our professional services, the cost of outside consultants, and reimbursable expenses incurred on behalf of customers.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	We measure expenses associated with all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair-value method and record such expense in our consolidated financial statements on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
Advertising and Promotional Costs	'
	Advertising and Promotional Costs
	Advertising and promotional costs are charged to sales and marketing expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Advertising And Promotional Costs	$	37,895	$	32,834	$	19,971
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Activities
	Foreign Currency Translation
	We maintain business operations in foreign countries. We translate the assets and liabilities of our international subsidiaries, the majority of which are denominated in non-U.S. dollar functional currencies, into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenues and expenses of these subsidiaries are translated using the average rates for the period. Gains and losses from these translations are included in AOCI within stockholders’ equity.
	Foreign Currency Transaction
	Certain of our foreign subsidiaries transact in currencies other than their functional currency. Therefore, we re-measure non-functional currency assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries using exchange rates at the end of each period. As a result, we recognize foreign currency transaction and re-measurement gains and losses, which are recorded within other income, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
	In an effort to reduce the risk that our earnings will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against assets and liabilities for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. These derivative instruments are carried at fair value with changes in the fair value recorded to other income, net, in our consolidated statements of operations. While not designated as hedging instruments, these foreign currency forward contracts are used to reduce the exchange rate risk associated primarily with intercompany receivables and payables. These contracts do not subject us to material balance sheet risk due to exchange rate movements as gains and losses on these derivatives are intended to offset gains and losses on the related receivables and payables for which we have foreign currency exchange rate exposure. As of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, the outstanding derivative instruments had maturities of 31 days or less and the total notional amounts of outstanding contracts were $22.9 million and $11.6 million, respectively. The fair values of these contracts were nominal as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, and were included within prepaid expenses and other current assets and within accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	We use the asset and liability method, under which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, and net operating loss carryforwards are measured using the enacted tax rate expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which the differences are expected to be reversed. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets is additionally dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets when uncertainty regarding their realizability exists.
	We record an unrecognized tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. We include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. To the extent accrued interest and penalties do not ultimately become payable, amounts accrued are reduced in the period that such determination is made and are reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.
	Repatriation of Undistributed Foreign Earnings
	Beginning in fiscal 2010, we initiated a policy election to indefinitely reinvest a portion of the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries with operations outside of the United States. We consider the earnings of these foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the U.S. on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs, and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. A majority of the amounts held outside of the U.S. are generally utilized to support non-U.S. liquidity needs in order to fund operations and other growth of our foreign subsidiaries and acquisitions.
	Sales Tax
	We account for sales tax on a net basis by excluding sales tax from our revenue.
	Withholding Taxes
	We recognize licensing revenue gross of withholding taxes, which our licensees remit directly to their local tax authorities, and for which we receive a related foreign tax credit in our income tax provision. The foreign current tax includes this withholding tax expense while the appropriate foreign tax credit benefit is included in current federal and foreign taxes.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	We continually assess any new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") to determine their applicability and impact on us. Where it is determined that a new accounting pronouncement will result in a change to our financial reporting, we take the appropriate steps to ensure that such changes are properly reflected on our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
	Adopted Standards
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This new standard, which we adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, adds enhanced disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") with the intent of helping entities improve the transparency of changes in Other Comprehensive Income ("OCI") and items reclassified out of AOCI in their financial statements. The standard is to be applied on a prospective basis, and requires registrants to disclose either in a single note, or parenthetically on the face of the financial statements, the effect of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI based on its source and the income statement line items affected by the reclassification. Since this new standard only results in changes to our financial statement presentation and does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or OCI in the financial statements, adoption of this standard does not impact our financial position or results of operations.
	The adoption of new accounting pronouncements has not had a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, and has not resulted in a change to our significant accounting policies. Furthermore, there have not been any changes to our significant accounting policies from those that were described in our Form 10-K for the prior fiscal year ended September 27, 2013.
	Standards Not Yet Effective
	Revenue Recognition.  On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us on October 1, 2017 and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method or determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Estimated Useful Life	'
	Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis according to estimated useful lives assigned to each of our different categories of PP&E as summarized within the following table:
	PP&E Category	Useful Life (Depreciable Base)
	Computer systems and software	3 to 5 years
	Machinery and equipment	3 to 8 years
	Furniture and fixtures	5 to 8 years
	Leasehold improvements	Lesser of useful life or related lease term
	Buildings	Up to 40 years
Advertising and Promotional Costs	'
	Advertising and promotional costs are charged to sales and marketing expense as incurred. Our advertising and promotional costs were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Advertising And Promotional Costs	$	37,895	$	32,834	$	19,971
Schedule of Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)	'
	These gains were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Foreign Currency Transaction Gains	$	498	$	73	$	193

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi1

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts Receivable, Net	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Trade accounts receivable	$	78,189		$	86,823
	Accounts receivable from patent administration program partners	9,594			11,151
	Accounts Receivable, Gross	87,783			97,974
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,615		)	(514		)
	Accounts Receivable, Net	$	86,168		$	97,460
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Balance at			Charged to			Deductions			Balance at
		Beginning of			Operations						End of
		Fiscal Year									Fiscal Year
	For fiscal year ended:
	28-Sep-12	$	2,466		$	(379	)	$	(1,131	)	$	956
	27-Sep-13	956			(174		)	(268		)	514
	26-Sep-14	514			1,119			(18		)	1,615
Schedule Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	'
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Balance at			Charged to			Deductions			Balance at
		Beginning of			Operations						End of
		Fiscal Year									Fiscal Year
	For fiscal year ended:
	28-Sep-12	$	2,466		$	(379	)	$	(1,131	)	$	956
	27-Sep-13	956			(174		)	(268		)	514
	26-Sep-14	514			1,119			(18		)	1,615
Schedule Of Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventory	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Raw materials	$	1,013		$	2,050
	Work in process	47			—
	Finished goods	7,476			8,043
	Total	$	8,536		$	10,093
Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
	Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Prepaid expenses	$	11,665		$	10,195
	Other current assets	7,152			10,863
	Income tax receivable	4,063			7,891
	Total	$	22,880		$	28,949
Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued Liabilities	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Accrued royalties	$	2,526		$	6,075
	Amounts payable to patent administration program partners	43,438			40,091
	Accrued compensation and benefits	71,677			54,423
	Accrued professional fees	6,162			4,402
	Other accrued liabilities	34,573			32,804
	Total	$	158,376		$	137,795
Schedule Of Other Non-Current Liabilities	'
	Other Non-Current Liabilities
	Other Non-Current Liabilities	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Supplemental retirement plan obligations	$	2,409		$	2,144
	Non-current tax liabilities	30,715			30,986
	Other liabilities	10,591			12,311
	Total	$	43,715		$	45,441

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	Our cash and investment portfolio, which is recorded as cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments, consists of the following:
		September 26,
		2014
		Cost		Unrealized								Estimated Fair Value
				Gains		Losses			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	564,745						$	564,745
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	1,727		—		—			1,727			1,727
	Commercial paper	2,000							2,000					2,000
	Cash and cash equivalents	568,472		—		—			568,472			1,727		2,000		—
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	35,443		5		(3		)	35,445			35,445
	Commercial paper	21,788		—		—			21,788					21,788
	Corporate bonds	56,106		81		(10		)	56,177					56,177
	Municipal debt securities	117,606		197		(5		)	117,798					117,798
	Short-term investments	230,943		283		(18		)	231,208			35,445		195,763		—
	Long-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	31,980		19		(6		)	31,993			31,993
	Corporate bonds	117,063		226		(80		)	117,209					117,209
	Municipal debt securities	146,337		326		(30		)	146,633					146,633
	Other long-term investments (2)	500		—		—			500
	Long-term investments	295,880		571		(116		)	296,335			31,993		263,842		—
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments (1)	$	1,095,295	$	854	$	(134	)	$	1,096,015		$	69,165	$	461,605	$	—
	Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
	Assets	2,507		—		—			2,507			2,507		—		—
	Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets & other non-current assets
	Liabilities	2,507		—		—			2,507			2,507		—		—
	Included in accrued liabilities & other non-current liabilities
	-1	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments exclude $2.1 million of restricted cash as of September 26, 2014.
	-2	Other long-term investments as of September 26, 2014 include a cost method investment of $0.5 million that was made during fiscal 2014.
		September 27,
		2013
		Cost		Unrealized								Estimated Fair Value
				Gains		Losses			Total			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash	$	420,069						$	420,069
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	16,193		—		—			16,193			16,193
	U.S. agency securities	13,135							13,135			13,135
	Commercial paper	5,000							5,000					5,000
	Cash and cash equivalents	454,397		—		—			454,397			29,328		5,000		—
	Short-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	6,003		4		—			6,007			6,007
	Commercial paper	5,991		—		—			5,991					5,991
	Corporate bonds	43,820		34		(7		)	43,847					43,847
	Municipal debt securities	84,326		127		(31		)	84,422					84,422
	Short-term investments	140,140		165		(38		)	140,267			6,007		134,260		—
	Long-term investments:
	U.S. agency securities	40,988		12		(76		)	40,924			40,924
	Corporate bonds	90,277		281		(167		)	90,391					90,391
	Municipal debt securities	171,892		257		(126		)	172,023					172,023
	Other long-term investments (2)	3,000		—		—			3,000
	Long-term investments	306,157		550		(369		)	306,338			40,924		262,414		—
	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments (1)	$	900,694	$	715	$	(407	)	$	901,002		$	76,259	$	401,674	$	—
	Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:
	Assets	2,242		—		—			2,242			2,242		—		—
	Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets & other non-current assets
	Liabilities	2,242		—		—			2,242			2,242		—		—
	Included in accrued liabilities & other non-current liabilities
	-1	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments exclude $3.2 million of restricted cash as of September 27, 2013.
	-2	Other long-term investments as of September 27, 2013 include a cost method investment of $3.0 million that we subsequently recorded a write-off charge for during fiscal 2014 to reduce the carrying value to zero in recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment.
Available for sale Securities, Unrealized Loss Position	'
	The following table presents the gross unrealized losses and fair value for those available-for-sale securities that were in an unrealized loss position as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013 (in thousands):
		September 26, 2014		September 27, 2013
		Fair Value	Gross Unrealized Losses (1)	Fair Value	Gross Unrealized Losses (1)
	U.S. agency securities	$31,930	($9)	$21,407	($76)
	Corporate bonds	78,166	-90	53,350	-174
	Municipal debt securities	55,979	-35	72,485	-157
	Total	$166,075	($134)	$147,242	($407)
	-1	Our available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position were in such position for less than twelve months as of both September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013.
Available-for-sale Securities	'
	The following table summarizes the amortized cost and estimated fair value of the available-for-sale securities within our investment portfolio based on stated maturities as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013, which are recorded within cash equivalents and both short and long-term investments in our consolidated balance sheets:
		September 26, 2014					September 27, 2013
		Amortized Cost		Fair Value			Amortized Cost			Fair Value
	Due within 1 year	$	232,944	$	233,208		$	158,275		$	158,402
	Due in 1 to 2 years	179,177		179,536			172,993			173,373
	Due in 2 to 3 years	116,204		116,299			130,164			129,965
	Total	$	528,325	$	529,043		$	461,432		$	461,740

Property_Plant_Equipment_Table

Property, Plant & Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
	Property, Plant And Equipment	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	45,842		$	46,049
	Buildings	61,712			32,305
	Leasehold improvements	56,665			64,991
	Machinery and equipment	47,639			38,408
	Computer systems and software	108,225			91,939
	Furniture and fixtures	13,540			13,490
	Construction in progress	127,569			88,872
	Property, Plant And Equipment, Gross	461,192			376,054
	Less: accumulated depreciation	(171,437		)	(133,137		)
	Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	$	289,755		$	242,917

Goodwill_Intangible_Assets_Tab

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Goodwill	'
	The following table outlines changes to the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):
		Goodwill
	Balance at September 28, 2012	$	281,375
	Translation adjustments	(1,651		)
	Balance at September 27, 2013	$	279,724
	Translation adjustments	(2,150		)
	Balance at September 26, 2014	$	277,574
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following (in thousands):
		September 26, 2014								September 27, 2013
	Intangible Assets, Net	Cost			Accumulated			Net		Cost		Accumulated			Net
					Amortization							Amortization
	Acquired patents and technology	$	99,262		$	(61,678	)	$	37,584	$	79,925	$	(51,267	)	$	28,658
	Customer relationships	30,717			(22,739		)	7,978		30,723		(19,592		)	11,131
	Other intangibles	38,694			(20,556		)	18,138		20,992		(19,466		)	1,526
	Total	$	168,673		$	(104,973	)	$	63,700	$	131,640	$	(90,325	)	$	41,315
Future Amortization Expense	'
	As of September 26, 2014, expected amortization expense of our intangible assets in future periods is as follows (in thousands):
	Fiscal Year	Amortization Expense
	2015	$	14,378
	2016	12,214
	2017	9,100
	2018	3,952
	2019	3,414
	Thereafter	20,642
	Total	$	63,700

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB1

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014											Sep. 27, 2013
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'											'
Schedule Of Fair Value Of Stock-Based Awards Estimated Using Weighted-Average Assumptions	'											'
	The weighted-average assumptions used in the determination of the fair value of our stock options were as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Expected term (in years)	4.58		4.37		4.53
	Risk-free interest rate	1.4	%	0.5	%	0.7	%
	Expected stock price volatility	32	%	40.1	%	43.8	%
	Dividend yield	—		—		—
Summary Of Weighted-Average Fair Value Of Stock Options Granted And Total Intrinsic Value Of Stock Options Exercised	'											'
												The following table summarizes the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted and the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised (in thousands):
													Fiscal Year Ended
													September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
													2014			2013			2012
												Stock options granted - weighted-average grant date fair value	$	11.11		$	10.23		$	12.23
												Stock options exercised - intrinsic value	$	15,300		$	3,781		$	6,188
Summary Of Stock Options Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2000 Stock Incentive Plan And 2005 Stock Plan	'											'
	The following table summarizes information about stock options issued under our 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2005 Stock Plan:
		Shares		Weighted-Average			Weighted-Average	Aggregate
				Exercise Price			Remaining	Intrinsic
							Contractual Life	Value (1)
		(in thousands)					(in years)	(in thousands)
	Options outstanding at September 27, 2013	6,385		$	29.82
	Grants	2,523		38.16
	Exercises	(999	)	26.37
	Forfeitures and cancellations	(298	)	31.84
	Options outstanding at September 26, 2014	7,611		32.96			7.5	$	64,758
	Options vested and expected to vest at September 26, 2014	7,305		32.91			7.4	62,530
	Options exercisable at September 26, 2014	3,275		30.29			5.8	37,086
	-1	Aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of our common stock on September 26, 2014 of $41.26 and excludes the impact of options that were not in-the-money.
Summary Of Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable	'											'
	The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 26, 2014:
		Outstanding Options							Options Exercisable
	Range of Exercise Price	Shares		Weighted-Average	Weighted-Average				Shares	Weighted-Average
				Remaining Contractual Life	Exercise Price					Exercise Price
		(in thousands)		(in years)					(in thousands)	(in years)
	$2.08 - $6.28	2		0.1	$	5.65			2	$	5.65
	$6.29 - $19.21	155		0.8	17.32				155	17.32
	$19.22 - 28.12	397		3.6	25.26				362	25.22
	$28.13 - $38.20	6,240		7.8	32.54				2,439	30.05
	$38.21 - $48.14	767		7.9	42.12				267	42.62
	$48.15 - $51.18	17		3.4	48.15				17	48.15
	$51.19 and above	33		5.2	58.78				33	58.78
		7,611							3,275
Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Issued To Officers, Directors And Employees Under 2005 Stock Incentive Plan	'											'
												The following table summarizes information about RSUs issued under our 2005 Stock Plan:
													Shares		Weighted-Average
															Grant Date
															Fair Value
													(in thousands)
												Non-vested at September 27, 2013	2,853		$	34.66
												Granted	1,298		38.49
												Vested	(1,012	)	36.22
												Forfeitures	(236	)	35.17
												Non-vested at September 26, 2014	2,903		35.79
Schedule of Share-Based Payment Fair Value by Vesting Date	'											'
												The fair value as of the respective vesting dates of RSUs was as follows (in thousands):
													Fiscal Year Ended
													September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
													2014			2013			2012
												Restricted stock units - vest date fair value	$	40,810		$	27,013		$	14,239
Schedule of Estimated Forfeiture Rate	'											'
												The estimated forfeiture rate used for awards granted was as follows:
													Fiscal Year Ended
													September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
													2014		2013		2012
												Estimated forfeiture rate	6.13	%	6.13	%	6.13	%
Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense By Plan	'											'
												Compensation Expense - By Award Type
													Fiscal Year Ended
													September 26,			September 27,			28-Sep-12
													2014			2013
												Compensation Expense - By Type
												Stock options (1)	$	19,680		$	21,334		$	23,550
												Restricted stock units	42,221			39,644			22,952
												Employee stock purchase plan	3,779			3,350			1,029
												Stock appreciation rights	—			—			50
												Total stock-based compensation	65,680			64,328			47,581
												Benefit from income taxes	(19,315		)	(19,316		)	(14,930		)
												Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	$	46,365		$	45,012		$	32,651
												-1	Expense excludes $0.4 million in fiscal 2012 related to stock-based compensation which was capitalized to property, plant and equipment. No compensation cost was capitalized in either fiscal 2014 or 2013.
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	'											'
												Compensation Expense - By Income Statement Line Item Classification
													Fiscal Year Ended
													September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
													2014			2013			2012
												Compensation Expense - By Classification
												Cost of products	$	812		$	765		$	675
												Cost of services	402			387			239
												Research and development	18,510			17,117			11,553
												Sales and marketing	23,236			21,507			16,233
												General and administrative	22,720			22,685			18,881
												Restructuring	—			1,867			—
												Total stock-based compensation	65,680			64,328			47,581
												Benefit from income taxes	(19,315		)	(19,316		)	(14,930		)
												Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	$	46,365		$	45,012		$	32,651
Schedule of Stock Repurchase Activity	'											'
	The following table provides information regarding share repurchase activity under the program during fiscal 2014:
	Quarterly Repurchase Activity	Shares		Cost (1)			Average Price Paid Per Share (2)
		Repurchased
				(in thousands)
	Q1 - Quarter ended December 27, 2013	330,000		$	11,660		$	35.32
	Q2 - Quarter ended March 28, 2014	—		—			—
	Q3 - Quarter ended June 27, 2014	730,000		29,298			40.12
	Q4 - Quarter ended September 26, 2014	330,000		15,070			45.65
	Total	1,390,000		$	56,028
	-1	Cost of share repurchases includes the price paid per share and applicable commissions.
	-2	Average price paid per share excludes commission costs.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in the accumulated balances during the period, and includes information regarding the manner in which the reclassifications out of AOCI into earnings affect our consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended									Fiscal Year Ended
		26-Sep-14									27-Sep-13
		Unrealized Gain/Loss - Investments			Currency Translation Adjustments			Total			Unrealized Gain/Loss - Investments			Currency Translation Adjustments			Total
	Balance, Beginning Of Period	$	203		$	7,611		$	7,814		$	1,079		$	9,608		$	10,687
	Other Comprehensive Income Before Reclassifications:
	Unrealized Gains/(Losses) - Investment Securities	801						801			(286		)				(286		)
	Foreign Currency Translation (Losses) (1)				(5,056		)	(5,056		)				(2,494		)	(2,494		)
	Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense) (2)	(286		)	(46		)	(332		)	104			497			601
	Net Of Tax	515			(5,102		)	(4,587		)	(182		)	(1,997		)	(2,179		)
	Amounts Reclassified From AOCI Into Earnings:
	Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities (1)	(368		)				(368		)	(1,083		)				(1,083		)
	Income Tax Effect - Expense (2)	155						155			389						389
	Net Of Tax	302			(5,102		)	(4,800		)	(876		)	(1,997		)	(2,873		)
	Balance, End Of Period	$	505		$	2,509		$	3,014		$	203		$	7,611		$	7,814
	-1	Realized gains or losses from the sale of our available-for-sale investment securities or from foreign currency translation adjustments are included within other income/expense, net in our consolidated statements of operations.
	-2	The income tax benefit or expense is included within provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of operations.

Per_Share_Data_Tables

Per Share Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28, 2012
		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$	206,103	$	189,271	$	264,302
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic	102,151		101,879		106,926
	Potential common shares from options to purchase common stock	582		287		493
	Potential common shares from restricted stock units	899		622		122
	Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted	103,632		102,788		107,541
	Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.:
	Basic	$	2.02	$	1.86	$	2.47
	Diluted	$	1.99	$	1.84	$	2.46
	Antidilutive awards excluded from calculation:
	Stock options	3,987		5,348		6,496
	Restricted stock units	1,835		1,817		2,550

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components Of Income Before Provision For Income Taxes	'
	The components of our income before provision for income taxes were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	160,839		$	155,777		$	258,684
	Foreign	115,260			94,869			110,307
	Total	$	276,099		$	250,646		$	368,991
Schedule Of Provision For Income Taxes	'
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	20,533		$	30,428		$	56,105
	State	543			691			2,922
	Foreign	52,999			49,003			43,659
	Total current	74,075			80,122			102,686
	Deferred:
	Federal	(2,345		)	(11,353		)	904
	State	(3,544		)	(4,748		)	521
	Foreign	(807		)	(3,677		)	(254		)
	Total deferred	(6,696		)	(19,778		)	1,171
	Provision for income taxes	$	67,379		$	60,344		$	103,857
Schedule of Withholding Taxes	'
	The foreign current tax includes this withholding tax expense while the appropriate foreign tax credit benefit is included in current federal and foreign taxes. Withholding taxes were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	Withholding Taxes	$	47,131		$	42,567		$	38,531
Summary Of Tax Effects Of The Temporary Differences Between Carrying Amounts And Amounts Used For Tax	'
	A summary of the tax effects of the temporary differences is as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Investments	$	2,033		$	2,115
	Accounts receivable	265			128
	Inventories	3,607			4,255
	Net operating loss	2,062			3,297
	U.S. state taxes	209			225
	Accrued expenses	16,759			11,985
	Stock-based compensation	30,455			29,428
	Revenue recognition	55,453			59,505
	Depreciation and amortization	4,423			—
	Research and development credits	5,153			4,002
	Foreign tax credits	2,854			3,512
	Other	8,312			7,503
	Total gross deferred income tax assets	131,585			125,955
	Less: valuation allowance	—			—
	Total deferred income tax assets	131,585			125,955
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Translation adjustment	(579		)	(880		)
	Intangibles	(450		)	(318		)
	International earnings	(1,960		)	(1,782		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—			(1,028		)
	Unrealized gain on investments	(405		)	(275		)
	Deferred income tax assets, net	$	128,191		$	121,672
	Deferred Income Tax Assets, Net - Balance Sheet Classification
	Current deferred income tax assets	$	86,445		$	84,238
	Long-term deferred income tax assets, net	41,746			37,434
	Deferred income tax assets, net	$	128,191		$	121,672
Reconciliation Of Federal Statutory Tax Rate To Our Effective Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate on income from continuing operations is as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
		26-Sep-14		27-Sep-13		28-Sep-12
	Federal statutory rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal effect	0.6		0.6		1.1
	Stock-based compensation expense rate	1.4		1.3		0.5
	Research and development tax credits	(1.6	)	(3.1	)	(1.1	)
	Tax exempt interest	(0.2	)	(0.2	)	(0.3	)
	U.S. manufacturing tax incentives	(2.0	)	(2.3	)	(2.1	)
	Foreign rate differential	(8.9	)	(4.5	)	(5.3	)
	Foreign reversal of deferred tax liabilities	—		(3.0	)	—
	Other	0.1		0.3		0.3
	Effective tax rate	24.4	%	24.1	%	28.1	%
Aggregate Changes In Balance Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest And Penalties	'
	The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26, 2014			September 27, 2013			September 28, 2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	32,468		$	16,880		$	8,683
	Gross increases - tax positions taken during prior years	3,249			16,865			3,156
	Gross decreases - tax positions taken during prior years	—			—			(493		)
	Increases in balances related to tax positions taken during current year	—			2,639			6,770
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(4,366		)	(3,064		)	(1,236		)
	Settlements	—			(852		)	—
	Balance at end of year	$	31,351		$	32,468		$	16,880
Schedule of Accrued Interest and Penalties on Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Our accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as of September 26, 2014 and September 27, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	Accrued interest	$	2,390		$	1,680
	Accrued penalties	1,022			1,536
	Total	$	3,412		$	3,216

Restructuring_Tables

Restructuring (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Changes In Restructuring Accruals	'
	Changes in restructuring accruals under this restructuring plan were as follows (in thousands):
		Severance and associated costs
	Restructuring charges	$	3,301
	Cash payments	(3,164		)
	Non-cash and other adjustments	9
	Balance at September 26, 2014	$	146
	During fiscal 2014, we recognized a $0.7 million credit representing the release of a facility exit obligation accrued under our fiscal 2013 Restructuring Plan following the sale of certain property located in Wootton Bassett, U.K. Changes in restructuring accruals under the fiscal 2013 restructuring program were as follows (in thousands):
		Severance and associated			Facilities and			Total
		costs			contract
					termination costs
	Restructuring charges	$	4,723		$	1,151		$	5,874
	Cash payments	(2,097		)	(108		)	(2,205		)
	Other non-cash adjustments	(1,832		)	—			(1,832		)
	Balance at September 27, 2013	$	794		$	1,043		$	1,837
	Restructuring charges	—			(898		)	(898		)
	Cash payments	(794		)	—			(794		)
	Other non-cash adjustments	—			(145		)	(145		)
	Balance at September 26, 2014	$	—		$	—		$	—

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Contractual Obligations And Commitments	'
	The following table presents a summary of our contractual obligations and commitments as of September 26, 2014 (in thousands):
		Payments Due By Fiscal Period
		Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal		Fiscal		Thereafter		Total
		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	Naming rights	$	7,432	$	7,525	$	7,619	$	7,715	$	7,811	$	110,888	$	148,990
	Donation commitments	—		—		6,045		67		67		805		6,984
	Operating leases	14,384		9,690		8,246		7,040		6,194		34,034		79,588
	Purchase obligations	9,442		1,825		47		—		—		—		11,314
	Total	$	31,258	$	19,040	$	21,957	$	14,822	$	14,072	$	145,727	$	246,876
Schedule of Rent Expense	'
	The following table summarizes information about our total rental expenses under operating leases, including rent payable to our principal stockholder (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Rent expense	$	14,278	$	13,092	$	13,463
	Rent payable to principal stockholder	2,125		1,375		1,372

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the allocation of the total purchase consideration to the total fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date (in thousands):
		Purchase Price Allocation
	Current assets	$	1,289
	Property, plant and equipment, net	264
	Intangible assets, net
	Developed technology	12,649
	Trade name	590
	Goodwill	15,988
	Current liabilities	(9,674		)
	Deferred taxes, net	(2,721		)
	Non-current liabilities	(22		)
	Total purchase price	$	18,363

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp1

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]	'
Revenue By Geographic Region	'
	Revenue by geographic region, which was determined based on the location of our licensees’ headquarters for licensing revenue, the destination to which we ship our products for products revenue, and the location where we perform our services for services revenue, was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
	Location	September 26,			September 27,			September 28,
		2014			2013			2012
	United States	$	316,256		$	255,956		$	299,992
	International	643,920			653,718			633,022
	Total revenue	$	960,176		$	909,674		$	933,014
Schedule Of Concentration Of Revenue From Individual Geographic Regions	'
	The concentration of our revenue from individual geographic regions was as follows:
		Fiscal Year Ended
	Location	September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	United States	33	%	28	%	32	%
	South Korea	20	%	20	%	17	%
	Japan	13	%	18	%	18	%
	Europe	12	%	13	%	15	%
	China	12	%	9	%	6	%
	Other	10	%	12	%	12	%
	Total	100	%	100	%	100	%
Schedule Of Long-Lived Tangible Assets, Net Of Accumulated Depreciation, By Geographic Region	'
	Long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation, by geographic region were as follows (in thousands):
	Location	September 26,			September 27,
		2014			2013
	United States	$	257,064		$	188,580
	International	32,691			54,337
	Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation	$	289,755		$	242,917

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Ownership Interest In The Consolidated Affiliated Entities	'
	Our ownership interest in these consolidated affiliated entities and the location of the property leased to Dolby Laboratories as of September 26, 2014 is as follows:
	Entity Name	Minority Ownership Interest		Property Location
	Dolby Properties, LLC	37.5	%	San Francisco, CA
	Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC	49	%	Brisbane, CA
	Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC	49	%	Burbank, CA
	Dolby Properties United Kingdom, LLC	49	%	Wootton Bassett, England
	Dolby Properties, LP	10	%	Wootton Bassett, England
	We lease our primary San Francisco, California corporate offices from our principal stockholder under a term that expires on October 31, 2024. Related party rent expense included in operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,		September 28,
		2014			2013		2012
	Related party rent expense included in operating expenses	$	2,125		$	2,526	$	1,372
	Distributions made by these entities to our principal stockholder were as follows (in millions):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,			September 27,		September 28,
		2014			2013		2012
	Distributions to principal stockholder	$	—		$	5	$	0.1

Retirement_Plans_Retirement_Pl

Retirement Plans Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans	'
	Retirement plan expenses, which are included in cost of products, cost of services, research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations, are as follows (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year Ended
		September 26,		September 27,		September 28,
		2014		2013		2012
	Retirement plan expenses	$	17,369	$	15,810	$	12,909

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Schedule Of Selected Quarterly Financial Data	'
		Fiscal Year 2014								Fiscal Year 2013
		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4		Q1		Q2		Q3		Q4
		(in thousands, except per share amounts)
	Revenue:
	Licensing	$	205,660	$	258,616	$	205,625	$	208,943	$	204,876	$	226,455	$	184,707	$	191,043
	Products	18,104		14,563		12,971		13,581		25,498		17,726		17,381		19,998
	Services	7,513		5,413		4,754		4,433		6,228		5,165		4,986		5,611
	Total revenue	231,277		278,592		223,350		226,957		236,602		249,346		207,074		216,652
	Cost of revenue	21,382		17,505		18,869		12,420		25,605		23,283		24,340		23,491
	Gross margin	209,895		261,087		204,481		214,537		210,997		226,063		182,734		193,161
	Income before taxes and controlling interest	60,701		102,922		51,814		60,662		69,059		84,872		37,847		58,868
	Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories	$	44,515	$	75,868	$	39,779	$	45,941	$	51,349	$	61,911	$	30,216	$	45,795
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.44	$	0.74	$	0.39	$	0.45	$	0.5	$	0.61	$	0.3	$	0.45
	Diluted	$	0.43	$	0.73	$	0.38	$	0.44	$	0.5	$	0.6	$	0.29	$	0.44
	Weighted-average shares outstanding:
	Basic	101,750		102,291		102,350		102,211		102,361		101,638		101,751		101,768
	Diluted	103,192		103,934		103,942		104,116		103,523		102,680		103,031		102,976

Summary_Of_Significant_Account3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Jun. 27, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Dolby Entertainment Technology [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Customer Concentration Risk [Member]

Internal Use Software [Member]

Internal Use Software [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum credit exposure (percent)

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percent of revenue from significant customer (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

12.00%

14.00%

Intangible assets with definite lives, useful life, minimum years

'

'

'

'

'3 years

'3 years

'17 years

'5 years

'

'

'

'

'

Goodwill

$277,574,000

$279,724,000

$281,375,000

$280,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Corrective royalties, percentage of license revenue (percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Advertising expense

37,895,000

32,834,000

19,971,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Transaction and re-measurement gains/losses

498,000

73,000

193,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount of derivative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$22,900,000

$11,600,000

'

'

'

Summary_Of_Significant_Account4

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Property, Plant, And Equipment, Estimated Useful Life) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014
Minimum [Member] | Systems And Software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Machinery And Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'3 years
Minimum [Member] | Furniture And Fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'5 years
Maximum [Member] | Systems And Software [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'5 years
Maximum [Member] | Machinery And Equipment [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'8 years
Maximum [Member] | Furniture And Fixtures [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'8 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property, plant, and equipment, useful life, minimum, years	'40 years

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi2

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Raw materials	1,013,000	2,050,000	'
Assets held for sale	1,000,000	'	'
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member]	'	'	'
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percent of revenue from significant customer (percent)	11.00%	12.00%	14.00%
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]	'	'	'
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Raw materials	1,700,000	4,000,000	'

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi3

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Accounts Receivable) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	$78,189	$86,823
Accounts receivable from patent administration program partners	9,594	11,151
Accounts Receivable, Gross	87,783	97,974
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	-1,615	-514
Accounts Receivable, Net	$86,168	$97,460

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi4

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance at Beginning of Fiscal Year	$514	$956	$2,466
Charged to Operations	1,119	-174	-379
Deductions	-18	-268	-1,131
Balance at End of Fiscal Year	$1,615	$514	$956

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi5

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'	'
Raw materials	$1,013	$2,050
Inventory, Work in Process, Gross	47	0
Finished goods	7,476	8,043
Inventories	$8,536	$10,093

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi6

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid assets	$11,665	$10,195
Other current assets	7,152	10,863
Income tax receivable	4,063	7,891
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$22,880	$28,949

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi7

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Accrued Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued royalties	$2,526	$6,075
Amounts payable to joint licensing program partners	43,438	40,091
Accrued compensation and benefits	71,677	54,423
Accrued professional fees	6,162	4,402
Other accrued liabilities	34,573	32,804
Accrued liabilities	$158,376	$137,795

Composition_Of_Certain_Financi8

Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions (Schedule Of Other Non-Current Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Composition Of Certain Financial Statement Captions [Abstract]	'	'
Supplemental retirement plan obligations	$2,409	$2,144
Non-current tax liabilities	30,715	30,986
Other liabilities	10,591	12,311
Other non-current liabilities	$43,715	$45,441

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Schedule Of Financial Assets Carried At Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014		Sep. 27, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	$568,472		$454,397
Short term investments, total	529,043		461,740
Long-term investments, cost	295,880		'
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, cost	1,095,295	[1]	900,694	[2]
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, unrealized gains	854	[1]	715	[2]
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, unrealized losses	134		-407	[2]
Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments, total	1,096,015	[1]	901,002	[2]
Restricted cash	2,142		3,175
Other long-term Investments	296,335		306,338
U.S. agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments, cost	35,443		6,003
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	5		4
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	-3		0
Short term investments, total	35,445		6,007
Long-term investments, cost	31,980		40,988
Long-term investments, unrealized gains	19		12
Long-term investments, unrealized losses	-6		-76
Long-term investments, total	31,993		40,924
Commercial paper	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments, cost	21,788		5,991
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	0		0
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	0		0
Short term investments, total	21,788		5,991
Corporate bonds	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments, cost	56,106		43,820
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	81		34
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	-10		-7
Short term investments, total	56,177		43,847
Long-term investments, cost	117,063		90,277
Long-term investments, unrealized gains	226		281
Long-term investments, unrealized losses	-80		-167
Long-term investments, total	117,209		90,391
Municipal debt securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments, cost	117,606		84,326
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	197		127
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	-5		-31
Short term investments, total	117,798		84,422
Long-term investments, cost	146,337		171,892
Long-term investments, unrealized gains	326		257
Long-term investments, unrealized losses	-30		-126
Long-term investments, total	146,633		172,023
Other long-term investments	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term investments, cost	500	[3]	3,000	[2]
Long-term investments, unrealized gains	0	[3]	0	[2]
Long-term investments, unrealized losses	0	[3]	0	[2]
Long-term investments, total	500	[3]	3,000	[2]
Other long-term Investments	500		3,000
Short-term investments	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments, cost	230,943		140,140
Short-term investments, unrealized gains	283		165
Short-term investments, unrealized losses	-18		-38
Short term investments, total	231,208		140,267
Long-term investments	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Long-term investments, cost	'		306,157
Long-term investments, unrealized gains	571		550
Long-term investments, unrealized losses	-116		-369
Long-term investments, total	296,335		306,338
Cash	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	564,745		420,069
Money market funds	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	1,727		16,193
Commercial paper	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	2,000		5,000
U.S. agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	'		13,135
Level 1	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	1,727		29,328
Short-term investments	35,445		6,007
Long-term investments	31,993		40,924
Assets	69,165		76,259	[2]
Level 1 | U.S. agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments	35,445		6,007
Long-term investments	31,993		40,924
Level 1 | Investments held in supplemental retirement plan:	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Assets	2,507		2,242
Liabilities	2,507		2,242
Level 1 | Money market funds	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	1,727		16,193
Level 1 | U.S. agency securities | U.S. agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	'		13,135
Level 2	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	2,000		5,000
Short-term investments	195,763		134,260
Long-term investments	263,842		262,414
Assets	461,605		401,674	[2]
Level 2 | Commercial paper	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	2,000		5,000
Short-term investments	21,788		5,991
Level 2 | Corporate bonds	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments	56,177		43,847
Long-term investments	117,209		90,391
Level 2 | Municipal debt securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Short-term investments	117,798		84,422
Long-term investments	146,633		172,023
Level 3	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Cash	0		0
Short-term investments	0		0
Long-term investments	0		0
Assets	$0		$0	[2]
[1]	Other long-term investments as of SeptemberB 26, 2014 include a cost method investment of $0.5 million that was made during fiscal 2014.
[2]	Other long-term investments as of SeptemberB 27, 2013 include a cost method investment of $3.0 million that we subsequently recorded a write-off charge for during fiscal 2014 to reduce the carrying value to zero in recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment.
[3]	Total cash, cash equivalents, and investments exclude $2.1 million of restricted cash as of SeptemberB 26, 2014.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea2

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Unrealized Loss Position) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014		Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Fair Value	$166,075		$147,242
Gross Unrealized Losses	134	[1]	407	[1]
U.S. agency securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Fair Value	31,930		21,407
Gross Unrealized Losses	9	[1]	76	[1]
Corporate bonds	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Fair Value	78,166		53,350
Gross Unrealized Losses	90	[1]	174	[1]
Municipal debt securities	'		'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'		'
Fair Value	55,979		72,485
Gross Unrealized Losses	$35	[1]	$157	[1]
[1]	Our available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position were in such position for less than twelve months as of both SeptemberB 26, 2014 and SeptemberB 27, 2013.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea3

Investments and Fair Value Measurements Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Investment Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Amortized Cost	'	'
Due within 1 year	$232,944	$158,275
Due in 1 to 2 years	179,177	172,993
Due in 2 to 3 years	116,204	130,164
Total	528,325	461,432
Fair Value	'	'
Due within 1 year	233,208	158,402
Due in 1 to 2 years	179,536	173,373
Due in 2 to 3 years	116,299	129,965
Total	$529,043	$461,740

Property_Plant_Equipment_Detai

Property, Plant & Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$461,192,000	$461,192,000	$376,054,000	'
Less: accumulated depreciation	171,437,000	171,437,000	133,137,000	'
Property, Plant And Equipment, Net	289,755,000	289,755,000	242,917,000	'
Acquisition costs or sale proceeds	19,700,000	19,700,000	'	109,800,000
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	3,300,000	3,355,000	503,000	2,075,000
Gain on sale of properties	400,000	'	'	'
Assets held for sale	1,000,000	1,000,000	'	'
Term of contract	'	'7 years 6 months	'	'
Non-cash investing activities for property, plant and equipment additions	'	8,700,000	'	'
Depreciation	'	38,100,000	37,400,000	30,600,000
Land [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	45,842,000	45,842,000	46,049,000	'
Acquisition costs or sale proceeds	'	'	'	35,500,000
Building [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	61,712,000	61,712,000	32,305,000	'
Acquisition costs or sale proceeds	'	'	'	74,300,000
Leasehold Improvements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	56,665,000	56,665,000	64,991,000	'
Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	47,639,000	47,639,000	38,408,000	'
Computer Systems and Software [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	108,225,000	108,225,000	91,939,000	'
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	13,540,000	13,540,000	13,490,000	'
Construction in Progress [Member]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$127,569,000	$127,569,000	$88,872,000	'

Goodwill_Intangible_Assets_Det

Goodwill & Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Goodwill [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$279,724,000	$281,375,000	'
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments	-2,150,000	-1,651,000	'
Goodwill	277,574,000	279,724,000	281,375,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cost	168,673,000	131,640,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	104,973,000	90,325,000	'
Net	63,700,000	41,315,000	'
Payments to acquire intangible assets	37,950,000	4,050,000	350,000
Amortization of intangible assets	15,100,000	15,800,000	13,200,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
2015	14,378,000	'	'
2016	12,214,000	'	'
2017	9,100,000	'	'
2018	3,952,000	'	'
2019	3,414,000	'	'
Thereafter	20,642,000	'	'
Acquired patents and technology	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cost	99,262,000	79,925,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	61,678,000	51,267,000	'
Net	37,584,000	28,658,000	'
Payments to acquire intangible assets	-38,000,000	'	'
Weighted-average useful life	'13 years 7 months 6 days	'	'
Customer relationships	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cost	30,717,000	30,723,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	22,739,000	19,592,000	'
Net	7,978,000	11,131,000	'
Other intangibles	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cost	38,694,000	20,992,000	'
Accumulated Amortization	20,556,000	19,466,000	'
Net	$18,138,000	$1,526,000	'

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB2

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

37 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

37 Months Ended

41 Months Ended

37 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2009

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Oct. 31, 2010

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Dec. 21, 2012

Dec. 11, 2012

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Dec. 21, 2012

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Oct. 31, 2010

Mar. 28, 2014

Oct. 31, 2010

Oct. 23, 2014

Oct. 21, 2014

Oct. 21, 2014

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Class B Common Stock [Member]

2000 Stock Incentive Plan. [Member]

2000 Stock Incentive Plan. [Member]

2005 Stock Plan. [Member]

2005 Stock Plan. [Member]

Awards Granted Under 2005 Stock Plan Prior To February 2011 [Member]

Awards Granted Under 2005 Stock Plan From February 2011 [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Employee Stock Option [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Equity Award Modification Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Equity Award Modification Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Employee and Officer [Member]

Awards Granted Prior to November 2010 [Member]

Awards Granted Prior to November 2010 [Member]

Awards Granted After November 2010 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Class B Common Stock [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Class A Common Stock [Member]

Options Granted Prior To June 2008 [Member]

Options Granted From June 2008 [Member]

Options Granted From June 2008 [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Director [Member]

Additional Stock Approved [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Equity Award Modification [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Restricted Stock Units [Member]

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

$400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares authorized (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares issued (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

50,658,627

46,862,893

51,610,239

54,876,494

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)

'

'

'

'

'

50,658,627

46,862,893

51,610,239

54,876,494

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

102,051,386

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

102,282,102

Shares authorized under plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,100,000

'

29,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options granted under the plan

'

2,523,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options outstanding to purchase

'

7,611,000

6,385,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,378

'

7,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options outstanding

'

'7 years 6 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'0 years 1 month 6 days

'

'7 years 4 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Terms for issuance of stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

1.6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options vested and exercisable

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capitalized stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

-352,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recognized tax benefit from the exercise of ISO and ESPP

'

538,000

417,000

208,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options vesting period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'36 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'1 year

'4 years

'4 years

'

'4 years

'3 years

'1 year

'2 years

'

'

'

Options expiration period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of vesting per year

'

'

'

'

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expiration period after termination of service, months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'3 months

'3 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of stock option becoming exercisable subjected to date of grant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options maximum vesting period, months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'4 years

'36 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'1 year

'4 years

'4 years

'

'4 years

'3 years

'1 year

'2 years

'

'

'

Share based compensation expense

'

65,680,000

64,328,000

47,581,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

42,221,000

39,644,000

22,952,000

3,779,000

3,350,000

1,029,000

'

0

0

50,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock options expected to vest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

73,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value of restricted stock units vested

'

40,810,000

27,013,000

14,239,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 8 months 12 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'2 years 9 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Year end stock price

'

$41.26

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Grants in period

'

1,298,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Employee stock options expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period

'

'7 years 4 months 24 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of compensation withheld by employees to purchase common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum value of common stock available for eligible employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum number of common stock available for eligible employees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock purchase price determined over percentage of closing price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued liabilities included in employee withholdings.

'

158,376,000

137,795,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recorded incremental charge related to exchange

'

65,680,000

64,328,000

47,581,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock authorized for repurchase

250,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

Remaining authorization to purchase additional shares

'

60,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0.10

'

Dividends, amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

408,200,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,200,000

'

Share-based Compensation Expense, Total Incremental Charge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,900,000

'

'

11,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Compensation Expense, Total Incremental Charge

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,200,000

$4,600,000

'

$3,000,000

$4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB3

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2000 Stock Incentive Plan And 2005 Stock Plan) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014
Shares	'
Options outstanding at September 27, 2013	6,385
Grants	2,523
Exercises	-999
Forfeitures and cancellations	-298
Options outstanding at September 26, 2014	7,611
Options vested and expected to vest at September 26, 2014	7,305
Options exercisable at September 26, 2014	3,275
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	'
Options outstanding at September 27, 2013	$29.82
Grants	$38.16
Exercises	$26.37
Forfeitures and cancellations	$31.84
Options outstanding at September 26, 2014	$32.96
Options vested and expected to vest at September 26, 2014	$32.91
Options exercisable at September 26, 2014	$30.29
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options outstanding	'7 years 6 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options vested and expected to vest at September 28, 2012	'7 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life, Options exercisable	'5 years 9 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options outstanding	$64,758
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options vested and expected to vest	62,530
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Options exercisable	$37,086
Year End Stock Price	$41.26

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB4

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Stock Options Outstanding And Exercisable) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 26, 2014
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified			$2.08 - $6.28 [Member]	$6.29 - $19.21 [Member]	$19.22 - 28.12 [Member]	$28.13 - $38.20 [Member]	$38.21 - $48.14 [Member]	$48.15 - $51.18 [Member]	$51.19 And Above [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares, Outstanding Options	7,611	'	2	155	397	6,240	767	17	33
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life, Outstanding Options	'	'	'0 years 1 month 6 days	'0 years 9 months 18 days	'3 years 7 months 6 days	'7 years 9 months 18 days	'7 years 10 months 24 days	'3 years 4 months 24 days	'5 years 2 months 12 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options	$32.96	$29.82	$5.65	$17.32	$25.26	$32.54	$42.12	$48.15	$58.78
Shares, Options Exercisable	3,275	'	2	155	362	2,439	267	17	33
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable	'	'	$5.65	$17.32	$25.22	$30.05	$42.62	$48.15	$58.78

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB5

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Restricted Stock Units Issued To Officers, Directors, And Employees Under 2005 Stock Incentive Plan) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014
Shares	'
Non-vested at September 27, 2013	2,853
Granted	1,298
Vested	-1,012
Forfeitures	-236
Non-vested at September 26, 2014	2,903
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value	'
Non-vested at September 27, 2013	$34.66
Granted	$38.49
Vested	$36.22
Forfeitures	$35.17
Non-vested at September 26, 2014	$35.79

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB6

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (RSU Vest Date Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Restricted stock units - vest date fair value	$40,810	$27,013	$14,239

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB7

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Fair Value Of Stock-Based Awards Estimated Using Weighted-Average Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expected life (in years)	'4 years 6 months 29 days	'4 years 4 months 13 days	'4 years 6 months 11 days
Risk-free interest rate	1.40%	0.50%	0.70%
Expected stock price volatility	32.00%	40.10%	43.80%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB8

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Summary Of Weighted-Average Fair Value Of Stock Options Granted And Total Intrinsic Value Of Stock Options Exercised) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expected forfeiture rate	6.13%	6.13%	6.13%
Weighted-average fair value at date of grant	$11.11	$10.23	$12.23
Intrinsic value of options exercised	$15,300	$3,781	$6,188

Stockholders_Equity_And_StockB9

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Forfeiture Rates) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expected forfeiture rate	6.13%	6.13%	6.13%

Recovered_Sheet1

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock-Based Compensation Expense By Plan) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense	$65,680,000	$64,328,000	$47,581,000
Benefit from income taxes	-19,315,000	-19,316,000	-14,930,000
Total stock-based compensation, net of tax	46,365,000	45,012,000	32,651,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount	'	'	400,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	538,000	417,000	208,000
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense	19,680,000	21,334,000	23,550,000
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense	42,221,000	39,644,000	22,952,000
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense	3,779,000	3,350,000	1,029,000
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share based compensation expense	$0	$0	$50,000

Recovered_Sheet2

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation By Classification) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$65,680	$64,328	$47,581
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense	19,315	19,316	14,930
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense, Net of Tax	46,365	45,012	32,651
Cost of products [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	812	765	675
Cost of services [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	402	387	239
Research and development [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	18,510	17,117	11,553
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	23,236	21,507	16,233
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	22,720	22,685	18,881
Restructuring Charges [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$0	$1,867	$0

Recovered_Sheet3

Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Repurchase) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Stockholders' Equity And Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased (in shares)	330,000	730,000	0	330,000	1,390,000	'	'
Cost	$15,070	$29,298	$0	$11,660	$56,028	$82,245	$268,203
Average Price Paid per Share (in dollars per share)	$45.65	$40.12	$0	$35.32	$45.65	'	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, Beginning Of Period	$7,814	$10,687
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	332	601
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI Into Earnings:	-4,587	-2,179
Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities	368	-1,083
Income Tax Effect - Expense	155	389
Net Of Tax	4,800	-2,873
Balance, End Of Period	3,014	7,814
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, Beginning Of Period	203	1,079
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	801	-286
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	286	104
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI Into Earnings:	515	-182
Realized (Gains) - Investment Securities	368	-1,083
Income Tax Effect - Expense	155	389
Net Of Tax	-302	-876
Balance, End Of Period	505	203
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance, Beginning Of Period	7,611	9,608
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	-5,056	-2,494
Income Tax Effect - Benefit/(Expense)	46	497
Amounts Reclassified From AOCI Into Earnings:	-5,102	-1,997
Net Of Tax	5,102	-1,997
Balance, End Of Period	$2,509	$7,611

Per_Share_Data_Details

Per Share Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$45,941	$39,779	$75,868	$44,515	$45,795	$30,216	$61,911	$51,349	$206,103	$189,271	$264,302
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic	102,211	102,350	102,291	101,750	101,768	101,751	101,638	102,361	102,151	101,879	106,926
Potential common shares from options to purchase Class A and Class B common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	582	287	493
Potential common shares from restricted stock units	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	899	622	122
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted	104,116	103,942	103,934	103,192	102,976	103,031	102,680	103,523	103,632	102,788	107,541
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - Basic	$0.45	$0.39	$0.74	$0.44	$0.45	$0.30	$0.61	$0.50	$2.02	$1.86	$2.47
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - Diluted	$0.44	$0.38	$0.73	$0.43	$0.44	$0.29	$0.60	$0.50	$1.99	$1.84	$2.46
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,987	5,348	6,496
Restricted Stock Units [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,835	1,817	2,550

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 25, 2009
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred income tax withholding tax foreign earnings	$322,400,000	'	'	'	'
U.S. income taxes, adjusted for any foreign tax credits, and withholding taxes	78,100,000	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryover for Spain	'	'	1,700,000	'	'
Discrete tax benefit	'	3,900,000	'	'	'
Discrete tax benefit, change in deferred tax liability	'	'	3,200,000	'	'
Discrete tax benefit, utilization of net operating loss carryforwards	'	700,000	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	1,200,000	'	'	'	'
Net operating loss carryovers for Federal tax purposes	4,700,000	'	'	'	9,700,000
Net operating loss carryovers for California tax purposes	9,600,000	'	'	'	9,600,000
Effective tax rate	24.40%	24.10%	28.10%	'	'
Deferred tax liability related to the amortization of intangible asset	'	7,400,000	'	'	'
Effective tax rate benefit, amortization of intangible assets	'	3.00%	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, gross	31,351,000	32,468,000	16,880,000	8,683,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	21,400,000	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, expected reduction as a result of settlement	700,000	'	'	'	'
Increase in interest expense for current tax provision	-700,000	-400,000	'	'	'
Reduction in penalties for current tax provision	($500,000)	($400,000)	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Components_Of_Inc

Income Taxes (Components Of Income Before Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
U.S.	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$160,839	$155,777	$258,684
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	115,260	94,869	110,307
Income before income taxes	$60,662	$51,814	$102,922	$60,701	$58,868	$37,847	$84,872	$69,059	$276,099	$250,646	$368,991

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Provi

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Provision For Income Taxes ) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$20,533,000	$30,428,000	$56,105,000
State	543,000	691,000	2,922,000
Foreign	52,999,000	49,003,000	43,659,000
Total current	74,075,000	80,122,000	102,686,000
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	-2,345,000	-11,353,000	904,000
State	-3,544,000	-4,748,000	521,000
Foreign	-807,000	-3,677,000	-254,000
Total deferred	-6,696,000	-19,778,000	1,171,000
Provision for income taxes	67,379,000	60,344,000	103,857,000
Deferred income tax withholding tax foreign earnings	322,400,000	'	'
Foreign income tax rate differential	$78,100,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Withholding_Taxes

Income Taxes (Withholding Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Withholding taxes	$47,131	$42,567	$38,531

Income_Taxes_Summary_Of_Tax_Ef

Income Taxes (Summary Of Tax Effects Of The Temporary Differences Between Carrying Amounts And Amounts Used For Tax) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Investments	$2,033	$2,115
Accounts receivable	265	128
Inventories	3,607	4,255
Net operating loss	2,062	3,297
U.S. state taxes	209	225
Accrued expenses	16,759	11,985
Stock-based compensation	30,455	29,428
Revenue recognition	55,453	59,505
Depreciation and amortization	4,423	0
Research and development credits	5,153	4,002
Foreign tax credits	2,854	3,512
Other	8,312	7,503
Total gross deferred income tax assets	131,585	125,955
Less: valuation allowance	0	0
Total deferred income tax assets	131,585	125,955
Translation adjustment	579	880
Intangibles	450	318
International earnings	1,960	1,782
Depreciation and amortization	0	1,028
Unrealized gain on investments	405	275
Deferred income tax assets, net	128,191	121,672
Current deferred income tax assets	86,445	84,238
Long-term deferred income tax assets, net	$41,746	$37,434

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of Federal Statutory Tax Rate To Our Effective Tax Rate) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%	'
State income taxes, net of federal effect	0.60%	0.60%	1.10%	'
Stock-based compensation expense rate	-1.40%	-1.30%	-0.50%	'
Research and development tax credits	-1.60%	-3.10%	-1.10%	'
Tax exempt interest	-0.20%	-0.20%	-0.30%	'
U.S. manufacturing tax incentives	-2.00%	-2.30%	-2.10%	'
Foreign rate differential	8.90%	4.50%	5.30%	'
Foreign reversal of deferred tax liabilities	0.00%	3.00%	0.00%	'
Other	0.10%	0.30%	0.30%	'
Effective tax rate	24.40%	24.10%	28.10%	'
Deferred tax liability related to the amortization of intangible asset	'	$7,400,000	'	'
Effective tax rate benefit, amortization of intangible assets	'	3.00%	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	31,351,000	32,468,000	16,880,000	8,683,000
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	$21,400,000	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Aggregate_Changes

Income Taxes (Aggregate Changes In Balance Of Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Interest And Penalties) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate	$21,400,000	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Expected Reduction as a Result of Settlement	700,000	'	'
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	32,468,000	16,880,000	8,683,000
Increases in balances related to tax positions taken during prior years	3,249,000	16,865,000	3,156,000
Decreases in balances related to tax positions taken during prior years	0	0	-493,000
Increases in balances related to tax positions taken during the current year	0	2,639,000	6,770,000
Lapse of statute of limitations	-4,366,000	-3,064,000	-1,236,000
Settlements	0	-852,000	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$31,351,000	$32,468,000	$16,880,000

Income_Taxes_Interest_and_Pena

Income Taxes (Interest and Penalties on Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued interest	$2,390	$1,680
Accrued penalties	1,022	1,536
Total	$3,412	$3,216

Restructuring_Details

Restructuring (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 28, 2012

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 26, 2014

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Sep. 27, 2013

Restructuring Charges [Member]

2014 Restructuring Plan [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

2013 Restructuring Program [Member]

employee

employee

Contract Termination [Member]

Contract Termination [Member]

Severance And Other Associated Costs [Member]

Severance And Other Associated Costs [Member]

Employee Severance [Member]

Restructuring Charges [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Recorded severance and other associated costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,800,000

'

Number of positions eliminated

'

'

'

'

50

'

'

36

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share based compensation expense

-65,680,000

-64,328,000

-47,581,000

'

'

'

'

-1,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Impairment Charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring reserve, beginning balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,837,000

'

1,043,000

'

794,000

'

'

'

Restructuring charges

2,403,000

5,874,000

1,191,000

3,300,000

3,301,000

'

-898,000

5,874,000

-898,000

1,151,000

0

4,723,000

'

'

Cash payments

'

'

'

'

-3,164,000

'

-794,000

-2,205,000

0

-108,000

-794,000

-2,097,000

'

'

Non-cash charges

'

'

'

'

9,000

-700,000

-145,000

-1,832,000

-145,000

0

0

-1,832,000

'

'

Restructuring reserve, ending balance

'

'

'

'

$146,000

$0

$0

$1,837,000

$0

$1,043,000

$0

$794,000

'

'

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Term of agreement	'	'	'20 years
Rent expense	$14,278	$13,092	$13,463
Rent payable to principal stockholder	$2,125	$1,375	$1,372

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Schedule Of Contractual Obligations And Commitments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Naming rights, Fiscal 2015	$7,432
Naming rights, Fiscal 2016	7,525
Naming rights, Fiscal 2017	7,619
Naming rights, Fiscal 2018	7,715
Naming rights, Fiscal 2019	7,811
Naming rights, Thereafter	110,888
Naming rights, Total	148,990
Donation commitments	'
Donation Commitments, Fiscal 2015	0
Donation Commitments, Fiscal 2016	0
Donation Commitments, Fiscal 2017	6,045
Donation Commitments, Fiscal 2018	67
Donation Commitments, Fiscal 2019	67
Donation Commitments, Thereafter	805
Donation Commitments, Total	6,984
Operating leases	'
Operating leases, Fiscal 2015	14,384
Operating leases, Fiscal 2016	9,690
Operating leases, Fiscal 2017	8,246
Operating leases, Fiscal 2018	7,040
Operating leases, Fiscal 2019	6,194
Operating leases, Thereafter	34,034
Operating leases, Total	79,588
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'
Purchase obligation, Fiscal 2015	9,442
Purchase obligation, Fiscal 2016	1,825
Purchase obligation, Fiscal 2017	47
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2018	0
Purchase Obligation, Fiscal 2019	0
Purchase Obligation, Thereafter	0
Purchase obligation, Total	11,314
Total	'
Total, due in Fiscal 2014	31,258
Total, due in Fiscal 2015	19,040
Total, due in Fiscal 2016	21,957
Total, due in Fiscal 2017	14,822
Total, due in Fiscal 2018	14,072
Total, due Thereafter	145,727
Total due	$246,876

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (IMM Sound, S.A. [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Gross purchase price	$26,500,000	'
Cash consideration	-18,363,000	'
Net tangible liabilities assumed	600,000	'
Net liabilities assumed	7,500,000	'
Cash acquired	400,000	'
Cash payment	18,000,000	'
Payment of deferred consideration for a prior business combination	6,000,000	6,700,000
Deferred tax liability for acquired intangible assets	3,200,000	'
Acquisition-related transaction costs	$400,000	'
Developed Technology Rights [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'5 years	'
Trade Names [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Estimated useful life	'1 year	'

Acquisitions_Purchase_Price_Al

Acquisitions (Purchase Price Allocation) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$277,574	$279,724	$281,375
IMM Sound, S.A. [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current assets	'	'	1,289
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	'	264
Developed technology	'	'	12,649
Trade name	'	'	590
Goodwill	'	'	15,988
Current liabilities	'	'	-9,674
Deferred taxes, net	'	'	-2,721
Non-current liabilities	'	'	-22
Total purchase price	'	'	$18,363

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp2

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Revenue By Geographic Region) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	$226,957	$223,350	$278,592	$231,277	$216,652	$207,074	$249,346	$236,602	$960,176	$909,674	$933,014
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	316,256	255,956	299,992
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenue	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$643,920	$653,718	$633,022

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp3

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Schedule Of Concentration Of Revenue From Individual Geographic Regions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
U.S. [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	33.00%	28.00%	32.00%
South Korea [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	20.00%	20.00%	17.00%
Japan [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	13.00%	18.00%	18.00%
Europe [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	12.00%	13.00%	15.00%
China [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	12.00%	9.00%	6.00%
Other [Member]	'	'	'
Revenue From External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'
Concentration of revenue from individual geographic regions	10.00%	12.00%	12.00%

Operating_Segments_and_Geograp4

Operating Segments and Geographic Data (Schedule Of Long-Lived Assets, Net Of Accumulated Depreciation, By Geographic Region) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Total long-lived tangible assets, net of accumulated depreciation	$289,755	$242,917
U.S. [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Long-lived assets	257,064	188,580
International [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Long-lived assets	$32,691	$54,337

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Included in operating expenses	$2,125,000	$2,526,000	$1,372,000
Distributions to principal stockholder	$0	$5,000,000	$100,000
Dolby Properties, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Ownership interest (percent)	37.50%	'	'
Dolby Properties Brisbane, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Ownership interest (percent)	49.00%	'	'
Dolby Properties Burbank, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Ownership interest (percent)	49.00%	'	'
Dolby Properties United Kingdom, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Ownership interest (percent)	49.00%	'	'
Dolby Properties, LP [Member]	'	'	'
Ownership interest (percent)	10.00%	'	'

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'
Retirement plan expenses	$17,369	$15,810	$12,909

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited) (Schedule Of Selected Quarterly Financial Data) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 26, 2014	Jun. 27, 2014	Mar. 28, 2014	Dec. 27, 2013	Sep. 27, 2013	Jun. 28, 2013	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2012	Sep. 26, 2014	Sep. 27, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Licensing	$208,943	$205,625	$258,616	$205,660	$191,043	$184,707	$226,455	$204,876	$878,844	$807,081	$801,313
Products	13,581	12,971	14,563	18,104	19,998	17,381	17,726	25,498	59,219	80,603	103,388
Services	4,433	4,754	5,413	7,513	5,611	4,986	5,165	6,228	22,113	21,990	28,313
Total revenue	226,957	223,350	278,592	231,277	216,652	207,074	249,346	236,602	960,176	909,674	933,014
Cost of revenue	12,420	18,869	17,505	21,382	23,491	24,340	23,283	25,605	70,176	96,719	92,027
Gross margin	214,537	204,481	261,087	209,895	193,161	182,734	226,063	210,997	890,000	812,955	840,987
Income before taxes and controlling interest	60,662	51,814	102,922	60,701	58,868	37,847	84,872	69,059	276,099	250,646	368,991
Net income attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$45,941	$39,779	$75,868	$44,515	$45,795	$30,216	$61,911	$51,349	$206,103	$189,271	$264,302
Net Income Per Share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (usd per share)	$0.45	$0.39	$0.74	$0.44	$0.45	$0.30	$0.61	$0.50	$2.02	$1.86	$2.47
Diluted (usd per share)	$0.44	$0.38	$0.73	$0.43	$0.44	$0.29	$0.60	$0.50	$1.99	$1.84	$2.46
Weighted-average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (shares)	102,211	102,350	102,291	101,750	101,768	101,751	101,638	102,361	102,151	101,879	106,926
Diluted (shares)	104,116	103,942	103,934	103,192	102,976	103,031	102,680	103,523	103,632	102,788	107,541

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2009	Oct. 23, 2014	Dec. 21, 2012	Dec. 11, 2012	Oct. 21, 2014	Oct. 21, 2014	Oct. 23, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
		Subsequent Event [Member]	Equity Award Modification [Member]	Equity Award Modification [Member]	Equity Award Modification [Member]	Equity Award Modification [Member]	Additional Stock Approved [Member]	Doremi Labs [Member]	Doremi Labs [Member]
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross purchase price	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$92.50	'
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	20
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Earnout Period	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'4 years	'
Stock authorized for repurchase	250	'	'	'	'	'	200	'	'
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased	'	260,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, dividends declared (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$4	$0.10	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	'	'	102,051,386	'	'	102,282,102	'	'	'
Dividends, amount	'	'	$408.20	'	$10.20	'	'	'	'