CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net (loss)/income $ 9,851 $ (8,749) $ (7,256)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:      
Depreciation 1,066 1,268 2,108
Provision for doubtful accounts 3,523 655 703
Forgiveness of amounts due from Vimicro Qingdao       1,186
Inventory provision 183 1,048 1,050
Amortization 313 368 397
Deferred income tax benefit (1,717) 586 (129)
Share-based compensation expenses 1,726 1,808 2,074
Loss from disposal of property and equipment 13 6 32
Gain on disposal of subsidiary and equity interest (1,319) (6) (1,472)
Asset impairment       1,448
Equity in (gain)/loss of an equity investee, net of tax (3,552) (1,372) 87
Unrealized profits on downstream transactions between the Group and its equity investee 14,381 1,976 0
Loss from discontinued operations       740
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Restricted cash (22) 1,996 1,412
Accounts and notes receivable (3,177) (464) (7,968)
Amounts due from related parties (75,866) (20,328) (1,142)
Inventories 58 (4,236) 3,527
Prepayments and other current assets (4,400) (2,915) (2,014)
Other assets    (209)   
Deferred tax liabilities (9) (9)   
Accounts payable 21,042 14,199 (31)
Amounts due to related parties (428) 2,575 1,221
Notes payable       (662)
Taxes payable 11,270 4,558 1,020
Advances from customers 9,003 1,195 790
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 5,540 (4,812) 3,191
Product warranty 2,120 584 223
Deferred government grants 12,475 (4,528) 6,566
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities 2,074 (14,806) 7,101
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Purchase of property, equipment and software (20,787) (9,945) (8,506)
Purchase of noncurrent assets    (479)   
Payment for performance guarantee with respect to construction activity    (291)   
Investment in an equity investee    (468) (4,275)
Long-term investment in cost method (603)      
Proceeds from disposal of assets in discontinued operations    2,900   
Proceeds from disposal of equity interest, net of cash disposed 5,000 (1,481) 10,410
Proceeds from sales deposit of properties    3,280   
Net cash used in investing activities (16,390) (6,484) (2,371)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from long-term bank loans    8,348 4,773
Changes in restricted cash 1,717 (1,181) (547)
Repurchase of shares (5,550) (6,638) (7,396)
Proceeds from exercise of share options 2,982 122 64
Proceeds from interest-free government loan 4,885    4,772
Net cash provided by financing activities 4,034 651 1,666
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 75 976 (91)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (10,207) (19,663) 6,305
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 35,869 55,532 49,227
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 25,662 35,869 55,532
Supplemental disclosure of cashflow information:      
Payable for purchase of property and equipment 8,108 3,422   
Cash paid during the year for:      
Interest paid 887 800 256
Income tax paid $ 44