Land use rights include prepayments towards acquisition and land use rights acquired. Land use rights acquired are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment loss. Land use rights are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives.
Land Use Rights
Land use rights, net
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unearned revenue or income from government grants which is expected to be taken into income within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Deferred Government Grant Current
Deferred government grant
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of unearned revenue or income from government grants which is expected to be taken into income after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Deferred Government Grant, Noncurrent
Deferred government grant, non-current
Represents the valuation allowance for trade and other receivables due to the entity from related party within one year (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) that are expected to be uncollectible.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable from Related Party, Current
Provision for doubtful accounts, amounts due from related parties
Amount of revenue generated from transactions with third parties.
Revenue from Third Parties
Third parties
Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.
Net Income or (Loss) before Share of Profit (Loss) of Unconsolidated Affiliate
Net(loss)/income before equity in (loss)/gain of an equity investee
Represents the amount due from related party agreed to be forgiven on the basis of receipt of certain amount within specified period.
Due from Related Party, Amount Agreed to be Forgiven on Satisfaction of Certain Conditions
Forgiven payment receivable from related party under a settlement agreement
Forgiveness of amounts due from Vimicro Qingdao
The noncash component of income tax expense for the period representing the increase (decrease) in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities pertaining to continuing operations.
Deferred Income Tax, Noncash Expense Benefit
Deferred income tax benefit
Represents the amount of unrealized gain (loss) on transactions between the Group and equity investees during the period.
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Transactions Between Group and Equity Investees
Unrealized profits on downstream transactions between the Group and its equity investee
Loss from discontinued operations.
Loss from Discontinued Operations
Loss from discontinued operations
Amendment Description
Represents the increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the deferred tax liabilities.
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Tax Liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Amendment Flag
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period of product warranty.
Increase (Decrease) in Product Warranty
Product warranty
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in obligations related to government grants.
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Government Grants
Deferred government grants
The cash outflow for acquisition of non-current assets whether for investment or use.
Payments to Acquire Non Current Assets
Purchase of noncurrent assets
Represents the cash outflow related to payment for performance guarantee with respect to construction activity.
Payment for Performance Guarantee related to Construction acitvity
Payment for performance guarantee with respect to construction activity
The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets in discontinued operations.
Proceeds from Disposal of Assets in Discontinued Operations
Proceeds from disposal of assets in discontinued operations
The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity interest in discontinued operation.
Proceeds from Sale of Equity Interest in Discontinued Operation
Proceeds from sale of equity interest in discontinued operations
All Countries [Domain]
Represents the cash inflow during the period from the disposal of equity interest, net of cash disposed of a component of the entity.
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates Net of Cash Divested
Proceeds from disposal of equity interest, net of cash disposed
Payable for purchase of property and equipment.
Payable for Purchase of Property and Equipment
Payable for purchase of property and equipment
Represents the percentage of net profit to be allocated to statutory reserve fund by the entity's subsidiaries.
Minimum Percentage of Net Profit to be Allocated to Statutory Reserve Fund
Minimum percentage of net profit to be allocated to statutory reserve fund
Represents the amount of currency on hand as well as bank deposits denominated in renminbi currency of the mainland of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
Cash and Due from Banks Denominated in RMB
Cash and bank deposits in the PRC denominated in RMB
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage, denominated in renminbi currency of the mainland of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. This element is for unclassified presentations; for classified presentations there is a separate and distinct element.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Denominated in RMB
Restricted cash denominated in RMB
Other adjustments related to amount of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Other Adjustments
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Share of net loss/(income) of subsidiaries
Represents the percentage of ownership interest in an entity held.
Ownership Interest Percentage
Ownership interest percentage
Equity interest (as a percent)
Represents the details pertaining to Vimicro Corporation, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro Corporation [Member]
Vimicro China [Member]
Represents details pertaining to Visiondigi Technology Corporation.
Visiondigi Technology Corporation [Member]
Visiondigi [Member]
Represents the State-owned Asset Management Corporation of Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area.
State Owned Asset Management Corporation [Member]
Tianjin SAMC [Member]
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Electronics Corporation.
Vimicro Electronics Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Tianjin [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Ningbo Sunny Opotech Corporation Limited.
Ningbo Sunny Opotech Corporation Limited [Member]
Ningbo Sunny [Member]
Area of Land
Unit of area of land (in square meters)
China, Yuan Renminbi [Member]
RMB [Member]
Represents three individual shareholders that hold a noncontrolling interest in the entity, Visiondigi Technology Corporation.
Individual Noncontrolling Shareholders of Visiondigi [Member]
Individual Shareholders of Visiondigi [Member]
Represents the percentage of ownership interest of the entity classified as a discontinued operation, sold during the period.
Discontinued Operation Percentage of Ownership Interest Sold
Percentage of equity interest disposed
Percentage of equity interest transferred
Represents the individual third party who puts money, by purchase or expenditure, in something offering potential profitable returns, such as interest income or appreciation in value.
Individual Third Party [Member]
Individual third party [Member]
Represents the number of wholly owned subsidiaries in which the entity and its group have ownership interest.
Number of Wholly Owned Subsidiaries
Number of wholly owned subsidiaries
Represents the contribution in cash made to the majority owned consolidated subsidiaries.
Equity Method Investment Contribution in Cash as Initial Registered Capital
Contribution in cash as initial registered capital
Award Type [Axis]
Represents the amount at which the investor has the option to purchase additional ownership interests.
Equity Method Investment Option to Purchase Ownership Interest of Investor
Option to purchase Tianjin SAMC's ownership interest
Represents the maximum shares held by investor that may be acquired with an exclusive beneficiary ownership right at the same consideration paid by the investor.
Equity Method Investment Maximum Shares Held by Investor which May be Purchased with Exclusive Beneficiary Ownership Right at Same Consideration Paid
Exclusive right to acquire beneficial ownership of maximum number of shares
Information by related party with an indirect relationship to the reporting entity.
Related Party Secondary Categorization [Axis]
Represents the details pertaining to Vimicro Management Foundation.
Vimicro Management Foundation [Member]
VMF [Member]
Document Period End Date
Represents the minimum period after establishment of the investment entity that the investor may exercise an option to purchase an additional ownership interest.
Equity Method Investment Minimum Period after Establishment to Exercise Option to Purchase Additional Ownership Interest
Minimum period to exercise option to purchase ownership interest of investor
Represents the ownership interest percentage to be reserved for equity award scheme if beneficiary ownership right exercised.
Equity Method Investment Ownership Interest Percentage Reserved for Equity Award Scheme if Beneficiary Ownership Right Exercised
Ownership interest percentage reserved for equity award scheme
Represents the number of individual shareholders holding a noncontrolling interest.
Number of Individual Shareholders Holding Noncontrolling Interest
Number of individuals involved in forming majority owned consolidated subsidiaries
Represents the estimated aggregate capital expenditure of construction of the project.
Estimated Capital Expenditures of Project
Estimated aggregate capital expenditure
Represents the percentage of the total construction area of the developed property to be transferred to the former holder as compensation in kind.
Transfer of Percentage of Construction Area of Developed Property to Former Holder
Transfer of construction area of the developed property to Xinhua Agricultural (as a percent)
Represents the details pertaining to Jiangsu Vimicro Electronics Limited.
Jiangsu Vimicro Electronics Limited [Member]
Vimicro Jiangsu [Member]
Represents the amount of consideration for increasing the shareholding in affiliates, subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.
Equity Method Investment Consideration for Increased Shareholding
Consideration for increasing shareholding
Represents the percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which has been transferred as per the agreement between shareholders.
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Transferred
Ownership percentage of shareholding transferred as per agreement between shareholders
Represents the amount of cash contribution increased by the investors in proportion to their shareholding percentage.
Equity Method Investment Increase in Cash Contribution by Investors
Increase in cash contribution by investors
Entity [Domain]
Entity [Domain]
Represents the percentage of ownership interest held before increase in an entity.
Ownership Interest Percentage before Increase
Ownership interest percentage before increase in investment
The consideration received associated with the deconsolidation of a previously consolidated subsidiary or the sale of investment in consolidated subsidiaries (generally greater than 50 percent).
Consideration from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries
Consideration from disposal of equity interest
Transaction consideration of disposal of equity interest
CHINA [Member]
Mainland China [Member]
PRC [Member]
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation
Date of Incorporation
The percentage of indirect ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the cost method of accounting.
Cost Method Investment Indirect Ownership Percentage
Indirect shareholding interest held at cost (as a percent)
Indirect ownership interest percentage continued to be held in discontinued operation
Entity Incorporation, State Country Name
Place of Incorporation
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro High-Tech Corporation, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro High Tech Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Shanghai [Member]
Vimicro High Tech Corporation
Represents the details pertaining to Vimicro Xingguang Corporation.
Vimicro Xingguang Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Xingguang Corporation [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Vimicro Management Foundation Shenzhen Corporation.
Vimicro Management Foundation Shenzhen Corporation [Member]
VMF Shenzhen [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Vimicro Management Zhongxing Tianshi Investment Corporation.
Vimicro Management Zhongxing Tianshi Investment Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Tianshi [Member]
The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the cost method of accounting.
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage
Beneficially held equity interest
Beneficially held equity interest
Represents the details pertaining to Wuxi Vimicro Corporation.
Wuxi Vimicro Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Wuxi [Member]
For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), carrying amount of receivable owed from the related party.
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Receivable from Related Party
Carrying amount of outstanding due from the Group
Outstanding consideration
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Technology Corporation, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro Technology Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Shenzhen [Member]
Represents details pertaining to mobile business, a discontinued operation of the entity.
Mobile Business [Member]
Mobile business [Member]
Arrangements and Non-arrangement Transactions [Domain]
Represents the details pertaining to Qingdao Vimicro Corporation.
Qingdao Vimicro Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Qingdao [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Beijing Zhongxing Tianshi Consulting Company.
Beijing Zhongxing Tianshi Consulting Company [Member]
VMF Consulting Company [Member]
Represents the ownership percentage held by former key employees.
Ownership Percentage Held by Former Key Employees
Ownership interest percentage held by two former key employees of mobile business
Represents the number of former key employees who hold an ownership interest in a related party.
Number of Former Key Employees who Hold Ownership Interest in Related Party
Number of former key employees of mobile business who hold ownership interest in Vimicro Qingdao
Represents information pertaining to Vimicro VMF Shanghai Corporation.
Vimicro VMF Shanghai Corporation [Member]
VMF Shanghai [Member]
Represents the operating period approved to the entity or to the entity within the group.
Approved Operating Period
Approved operating period
Represents the sum of the amounts paid in advance to suppliers and other third parties and which will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Prepayments to Suppliers and Other Third Parties Current
Prepayments to suppliers and other third parties
Represents the amount of provision for other doubtful accounts receivable.
Provision for Other Doubtful Accounts
Provision for doubtful accounts
Represents the aggregate amount to be received for forgiveness of dues from related party within specified period.
Amount to be Received for Forgiveness of Dues from Related Party by Specified Period
Amount to be received for forgiveness of dues from related party
Represents the amount of accounts receivable from related party written-off during the period in a related party transaction.
Write Off of Accounts Receivable from Related Party
Write-off of account receivable
Outstanding amount written off
The consideration received associated with the sale of business.
Consideration from Divestiture of Business
Consideration from disposal of business
Represents the amount of assets derecognized in the investee, accounted under cost method of accounting.
Cost Method Investment Assets Derecognized
Assets derecognized
Represents the amount of assets derecognized upon deconsolidation.
Derecognition of Assets upon Deconsolidation
Liabilities derecognized
Represents the amount expected to be received for forgiveness of dues from related party.
Amount Expected to be Received for Forgiveness of Dues from Related Party
Amount expected to be received for forgiveness of dues from related party
Represents the prepayment made to related party in a related party transaction.
Prepayment to Related Party
Prepayment to related parties
Represents the goods received from related party in a related party transaction.
Goods Received from Related Party
Goods received from related Parties
Inventory received
Represents the period over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition.
Vesting Period [Axis]
Represents the five years vesting period for share-based compensation award.
Vesting Period Five Years [Member]
Five years vesting period [Member]
Represents the employee of the entity.
Employee [Member]
Employee [Member]
Represents the one year vesting period for share-based compensation award.
Vesting Period One Year [Member]
One year vesting period [Member]
Represents the non-employee of the entity.
Non Employee [Member]
Non-employee [Member]
Represents the amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax excluding the gain (loss) on disposal of the discontinued operation.
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations Excluding Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation Net of Tax
Net loss from operations
The entire disclosure for land use rights acquired and prepayments for land use rights acquisition.
Land Use Rights Disclosure [Text Block]
LAND USE RIGHTS, NET
Represents the accumulated impairment losses related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land as of the balance sheet date.
Property Plant and Equipment Accumulated Impairment Loss
Less: impairment loss
Represents tangible personal property used to produce goods and services and equipment commonly used in offices and stores that have no permanent connection to the structure of a building or utilities.
Equipment and Office Furniture [Member]
Equipment and office furniture [Member]
Represents the masks and tools commonly used to cut, shape, and form metal and other materials into goods for sale.
Mask and Tooling [Member]
Mask and tooling [Member]
Represents the amount of land use right that serve as collateral for borrowings.
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Pledged as Collateral
Carrying value of land use rights pledged to secure the long-term bank loan of Vimicro Tianjin
Represents the amount of construction in progress that serve as collateral for borrowings.
Property, Plant and Equipment Pledged as Collateral
Amount of construction in progress to secure long-term bank loan of Vimicro Tianjin by means of a collateral
Tabular disclosure of the components of accrued liabilities and other current liabilities.
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities and Other Current Liabilities [Table Text Block]
Schedule of accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Represents the amounts due to intellectual property suppliers. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer).
Due to Intellectual Property Suppliers, Current
Payables to intellectual property suppliers
Represents the amounts due to other suppliers. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer).
Due to Other Suppliers, Current
Payables to other suppliers
Represents the details pertaining to Zhongtianxin Technology Co. Ltd.
Zhongtianxin Technology Co Ltd [Member]
Zhongtianxin [Member]
Zhongxinyingcai [Member]
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Information by investee name in which entity has in an investment accounted under cost method of accounting.
Schedule of Cost Method Investment Cost Method Investee Name [Axis]
Entity Voluntary Filers
Term of the lessee's capital leasing arrangement renewal, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format.
Lessee Leasing Arrangements Capital Leases Renewal Term
Extended term
Entity Current Reporting Status
Term of the lessee's capital leasing arrangement, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format.
Lessee Leasing Arrangements Capital Leases Term of Contract
Initial term
Entity Filer Category
Negotiable securities that represent securities of companies that are foreign to the market on which the depositary receipt (DR) trades.
American Depository Shares [Member]
American Depository Shares
Entity Public Float
Represents the amount of equity method investments in cash.
Equity Method Investment in Cash
Equity method investment made in cash
Entity Registrant Name
Represents the fair value of contribution of intellectual properties in equity method investments.
Equity Method Investment Fair Value of Contributed Intellectual Properties
Fair value of contributed intellectual properties
Entity Central Index Key
Represents the sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to share-based compensation expense.
Income Tax Expense Benefit Share Based Compensation
Tax deduction claimed
The number of share-based compensation plans approved by the entity's shareholders.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Number of Plans
Number of share option plans
HONG KONG [Member]
Hong Kong [Member]
The time period from the grant date until the time at which the share-based option award expires.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Options Expiration Term
Contractual life
Represents information pertaining to the video processor business, reportable segment of the entity.
Video Processor Business [Member]
Video processor business segment [Member]
Video processor business
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Represents information pertaining to the video surveillance solution business, reportable segment of the entity.
Video Surveillance Solution Business [Member]
Video surveillance solution business [Member]
Video surveillance solutions business segment [Member]
Represents the information pertaining to revenue from external customers.
External Customers [Member]
External customers [Member]
Percentage of the award vesting in one year after the date of grant.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Percentage of Awards Vesting One Year after Grant Date
Percentage of share options vesting in one year after the grant date
Represents the initial period in which a certain portion of the options will vest.
Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment, Award Initial Award Vesting Period
Initial share options vesting period
Represents the percentage of awards vesting semi-annually over the remaining period.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Percentage of Awards Vesting Semi Annually
Percentage of share options vesting semi-annually over the remaining period
Represents the period during which the remainder of the options will vest on semi-annually basis.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Vesting Period Remainder
Period during which the remainder of the options will vest
Represents the details pertaining to the 2004 Plan.
Plan 2004 [Member]
2004 Plan [Member]
Represents the major customers of the entity.
Number of Major Customers
Number of major customers
Represents information pertaining to a group of ten of the entity's customers.
Top Ten Customers [Member]
Top ten customers [Member]
Represents the percentage of the shares vesting monthly.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Percentage of Shares Vesting Monthly
Percentage of the shares vesting monthly
Represents the cumulative number of stock options granted by the entity.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Options Cumulative Grants
Total share options granted
Represents the exercise price of cumulative number of stock options granted by the entity.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Options Cumulative Grants Exercise Price
Exercise price of total share options granted (in dollars per share)
Represents an arrangement whereby an employee and other than employee is entitled to receive in the future, subject to vesting and other restrictions, a number of shares in the entity at a specified price, as defined in the agreement. Although there are variations, normally, after vesting, when an option is exercised, the employee-holder and non-employee-holder pays the strike value in cash to the issuing employer-entity and receives equity shares. The equity shares can be sold into the market for cash at the current market price without restriction.
Employee and Nonemployee Stock Option [Member]
Share options [Member]
Represents information related to customer B, in terms of concentration.
Customer B [Member]
Customer B
Represents information related to customer Z, in terms of concentration.
Customer Z [Member]
Customer Z
Represents information related to customer P, in terms of concentration.
Customer P [Member]
Customer P [Member]
Represents information related to customer S, in terms of concentration.
Customer S [Member]
Customer S [Member]
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Represents information pertaining to PC camera processor.
PC Camera Processor [Member]
PC camera processor [Member]
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Represents information pertaining to surveillance processor.
Surveillance Processor [Member]
Surveillance processor [Member]
Represents the products or group of products pertaining to the other products sold by the entity.
Other Products [Member]
Other products [Member]
Details pertaining to Qingdao Vimicro Corporation and Visiondigi Technology Corporation.
Qingdao Vimicro Corporation and Visiondigi Technology Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Qingdao and Visiondigi
Tabular disclosure of the effects of any changes in noncontrolling interest during the period.
Schedule of Minority Interest [Table Text Block]
Schedule of changes in non-controlling interest
Represents the number of share options which were not issued under the prior share-based plan that are transferred to the new plan.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Shares Authorized Options Transferred from Prior Plan
Options transferred from 2004 Plan (in shares)
Represents the details pertaining to the 2005 Plan.
Plan 2005 [Member]
2005 Plan [Member]
Represents the number of quarters of performance review considered for specific vesting schedule.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Number of Quarters for Performance Review
Number of quarters of performance review considered for vesting schedule of 16.7%
Represents the amount of research and development expense before deducting any grants received relating to such expense.
Research and Development Expense, Gross
Research and development
Represents the percentage of shares that will vest on satisfactory evaluation for every quarterly performance review.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Percentage of Awards Vesting on Satisfactory Evaluation for Every Quarterly Performance Review
Percentage of shares that will vest on satisfactory evaluation for every quarterly performance review
Represents the amount of grants received against research and development expense.
Research and Development Grants Received
Less: research and development grants
Represents the three years vesting period for share-based compensation award.
Vesting Period Three Years [Member]
Three years vesting period [Member]
Legal Entity [Axis]
Represents information pertaining to key employees of the entity.
Key Employees [Member]
Key employees [Member]
Document Type
Tabular disclosure of research and development expenses.
Schedule of Research and Development Expenses [Table Text Block]
Schedule of research and development expenses
CAYMAN ISLANDS [Member]
Cayman [Member]
Represents research and development expenses related to research and development project with a third party vendor.
Research and Development Expenses related to third party vendor project
Research and development expenses related to project contracted with a third party vendor
Representing research and development expenses incurred by Wellway Electronic (Hong Kong) limted.
Research and Development Expenses Incurred by Other Third Party
Research and development expenses incurred by Wellway Electronic (Hong Kong) limted
Represents the amount of prepaid property lease payments.
Prepaid Property Lease Payments
Property under capital lease
Represents the period whose discounted cash flow is considered to calculate fair value of investments.
Period whose Discounted Cash Flow is Considered to Calculate Fair Value of Investment
Period whose discounted cash flow is considered to calculate fair value of investments
Represents the second group of employee of the entity.
Employee Two [Member]
Employee two [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to the Video Surveillance System business.
Video Surveillance System [Member]
ViSS business
Represents information pertaining to the Surveillance and security products, reportable segment of the entity.
Surveillance and Security Products [Member]
Surveillance and security products [Member]
Surveillance and security business [Member]
Represents the accumulated amount of impairment loss recognized, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Impairment
Impairment
Represents the cumulative number of equity instruments other than options granted by the entity.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other than Options Cumulative Grants
Total restricted shares granted
Represents the warranty period of the entity's products.
Product Warranty Period
Period of warranties
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Represents the credit term of distributors.
Credit Term of Distributor
Credit term of distributors
Represents the ratio of the statutory reserve fund to statutory registered capital after which mandatory contributions to the statutory reserve fund are no longer required for foreign-invested enterprises established in the People's Republic of China.
Appropriation of after Tax Profit to Statutory Reserve Fund Limit Registered Capital Percentage
Amount up to which appropriation required to be made to statutory reserve fund
Represents the details pertaining to golf memberships.
Golf Memberships [Member]
Golf memberships
Represents the number of lifetime golf memberships.
Number of Lifetime Golf Memberships
Number of lifetime golf memberships
Represents the number of employees affected by the performance-based stock options of an equity-based compensation plan.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Number of Employees
Number of employees
Disclosure of accounting policy for the entity's risk concentrations.
Concentration Risk [Policy Text Block]
Concentration of risks
Disclosure of accounting policy for employee social security and welfare benefit plans.
Employee Social Security and Welfare Benefit Plans [Policy Text Block]
Employee social security and welfare benefit plans
Disclosure of accounting policy for long-lived assets to be disposed and discontinued operations.
Disposal of Long Lived Assets and Discontinued Operations [Policy Text Block]
Long-lived assets to be disposed of and discontinued operations
Disclosure of accounting policy for government grants.
Government Grants [Policy Text Block]
Government grants
The entire disclosure for statutory reserves including, but not limited to, appropriations for certain non-distributable reserves in accordance with laws applicable to the reporting entity, its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs.
Profit Appropriation [Policy Text Block]
Profit appropriation
Disclosure of accounting policy for land use rights which may include the basis of such assets, amortization methods used and estimated useful lives.
Land Use Rights [Policy Text Block]
Land use rights
Disclosure of accounting policy for treasury stock.
Treasury Stock [Policy Text Block]
Treasury stock
Represents the number of outstanding options repriced by the entity.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Repriced Options Outstanding Number
Repriced outstanding options (in shares)
Represents the repriced exercise price of the outstanding options that were granted to the employees.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Repriced Options Outstanding Repriced Exercise Price
Repriced exercise price of options (in dollars per share)
Represents the original exercise price at which repriced options were granted to the employees.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Repriced Options Outstanding Original Exercise Price
Original exercise price (in dollars per share)
Represents the information pertaining to resigned senior executive of the entity.
Resigned Senior Executive [Member]
Resigned senior executive [Member]
Represents the number of resigned employees to whom shares were issued during the period.
Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues Number of Employees Resigned
Number of resigned employees to whom shares were issued
Tabular disclosure of the useful life of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale.
Property Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives [Table Text Block]
Schedule of estimated useful lives
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Current, Total
Accounts receivable, net of provision for doubtful accounts of $2,228 and $5,937 as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively
For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), land use rights include prepayments towards acquisition and land use rights acquired.
Discontinued Operations, Land Use Rights
Land use rights
LAND USE RIGHTS, NET [Abstract]
This element represents the amount of recognized equity-based compensation related to non-employee stock purchase programs during the period, that is, the amount recognized as expense in the income statement (or as asset if compensation is capitalized).
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share Based Compensation, Non Employee Stock Purchase Program Requisite Service Period Recognition
Share-based compensation expense-non-employees
Statutory Reserve.
Statutory Reserve [Member]
Statutory Reserve [Member]
Visiondigi.
Visiondigi [Member]
Visiondigi [Member]
Components of Share Based Compensation Expenses are Included in Following Expense Captions [Abstract]
Components of share-based compensation expenses are included in the following expense captions:
The entire disclosure for short-term time deposits. This would include, but not limited to, a description of the time deposits and maturity terms.
Short Term Time Deposits Disclosure [Text Block]
SHORT-TERM TIME DEPOSTIS
Represents the cash outflow for expenses paid on behalf of related party.
Payment of Expense on behalf of Related Party
Pay expense on behalf of related parties
Represents the amount of consideration to be received in the significant disposal.
Significant Disposals Consideration to be Received
Selling price of building
Represents the payment made on behalf of the group by related party in a related party transaction.
Payment Made on behalf of Group by Related Party
Related parties pay on behalf of group
Represents the inventory received from related party as a repayment in a related party transaction.
Receipt of Inventory from Related Party as Repayment
Receive inventory from related party as repayment
All Currencies [Domain]
Represents the lease provided to related party in a related party transaction.
Provision of Lease to Related Party
Providing lease to related parties
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current
Accounts receivable, net of provision for doubtful accounts of $2,228 and $5,937 as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively
Represents the purchase on behalf of related party in a related party transaction.
Purchase on behalf of Related Party
Purchase on behalf of related parties
Represents information pertaining to Vimicro Guiyang.
Guiyang Vimicro Electronics limited [Member]
Vimicro Guiyang [Member]
Represents the number of majority owned consolidated subsidiaries in which the entity and its group have ownership interest.
Number of Majority Owned Consolidated Subsidiaries
Number of majority owned consolidated subsidiaries
Represents the number of affiliated entities in which the entity and its group have ownership interest.
Number of Affiliated Entities
Number of affiliated entities
Represents the number of R&D office buildings for which sale are guaranteed by the management Committee.
Number of Research and Development Office Buildings for which Sale is Guaranteed
Number of R&D office buildings for which sale is guaranteed
Represents the percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which has been transferred proportionately on the basis of shareholding.
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Proportionately Transferred
Proportionately transferred equity interests (as a percent)
Represents the previous shareholding proportion percentage, which has been taken as base for transferring ownership percentage of shareholding.
Equity Method Investment Previous Shareholding Proportion as Base for Ownership Percentage Transferred
Previous shareholding proportion (as a percent)
Represents the beneficial interest held by the related party.
Beneficial Interest Held by Related Party
Beneficial interest (as a percent)
Represents the prepayment amount for acquisition of the aggregate amount of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
Prepayment for Finite Lived Intangible Asset Acquisition
Prepayment for land use rights acquisition
Represents the amount of amortization expense expected to be recognized during the fifth fiscal year as well as after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Amortization Expense Year Five and Thereafter
2019 and thereafter
Represents the sum of the amounts of withholding tax refundable and which will be refunded within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Withholding Tax Refundable Current
Hong Kong withholding tax refundable
Withholding tax refundable amount
Disclosure of accounting policy for short-term time deposits.
Short Term Time Deposits [Policy Text Block]
Short-term time deposits
Represents information pertaining to the Multimedia processors, reportable segment of the entity.
Multimedia Processors [Member]
PC multimedia processors [Member]
PC multimedia processor business [Member]
Represents information related to customer I, in terms of concentration.
Customer I [Member]
Customer I
Represents information related to customer V, in terms of concentration.
Customer V [Member]
Customer V
Represents information related to customer U, in terms of concentration.
Customer U [Member]
Customer U
Represents information related to customer R, in terms of concentration.
Customer R [Member]
Customer R
Represents the discounts applied to quoted market price under cost method.
Discounts Applied to Quoted Market Price of Assets Fair Value Disclosure
Discounts applied to quoted market price (as a percent)
Employee Social Security and Welfare Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee social security and welfare benefit plans
Profit Appropriation [Abstract]
Profit appropriation
Represents the percentage of ownership interest of an entity classified as a discontinued operation.
Discontinued Operation Ownership Percentage
Ownership percentage of discontinued operation
Represents the percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation before increase in the investee accounted for under the cost method of accounting.
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage before Increase
Ownership interest percentage before increase in investment
Represents the portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to the adjustment of prior year loss carryforwards.
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Adjustment of Prior Year Loss Carryforward
Adjustment of prior year loss carry-forwards
Represents the portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate attributable to the withholding tax to transfer the equity of the parent entity.
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Withholding Tax to Transfer Equity of Parent Company
Withholding tax of transfer the equity of the parent company of Vimicro Shanghai
Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Current [Text Block]
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
The cash outflow for prepayment towards acquisition and land use rights acquired.
Land Use Rights Payments
Land use rights payments
Represents information pertaining to members of senior management of the entity.
Employees of Senior Management [Member]
Employees in senior management [Member]
Represents the period over which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent.
Vesting Period [Domain]
Accounts Payable, Current
Accounts payable
Accounts Payable, Current, Total
Long Lived Assets to be Disposed of and Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Long-lived assets to be disposed of and discontinued operations
Represents the percentage of shares that will vest on satisfactory evaluation on annual performance review.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Percentage of Awards Vesting on Satisfactory Evaluation on Annual Performance Review
Percentage of shares that will vest on satisfactory evaluation on annual performance review
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Options Outstanding [Abstract]
Options outstanding
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Options Exercisable [Abstract]
Options exercisable
The weighted average grant-date fair value of options outstanding as of the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.
Share Based Compensation, Arrangement by Share Based Payment, Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Estimated grant date fair values of each option outstanding (in dollars per share)
Represents the United States Treasury Bill term which is used as a basis to determine risk-free interest rate.
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions United States Treasury Bill Term
United States Treasury Bill term
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 0.01 dollars to 0.38 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 0.01 to 0.38 [Member]
0.01-0.38 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 0.40 dollars to 0.63 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 0.40 to 0.63 [Member]
0.40-0.63 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 0.68 dollars to 0.97 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 0.68 to 0.97 [Member]
0.68-0.97 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 1.00 dollars to 1.39 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 1.00 to 1.39 [Member]
1.00-1.39 [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 1.47 dollars to 1.60 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 1.47 to 1.60 [Member]
1.47-1.60 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 1.73 dollars to 2.10 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 1.73 to 2.10 [Member]
1.73-2.10 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 2.27 dollars to 2.59 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 2.27 to 2.59 [Member]
2.27-2.59 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 2.75 dollars to 2.82 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 2.75 to 2.82 [Member]
2.75-2.82 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 3.00 dollars to 3.37 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 3.00 to 3.37 [Member]
3.00-3.37 [Member]
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 4.22 dollars to 4.55 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 4.22 to 4.55 [Member]
4.22-4.55 [Member]
Tabular disclosure of principal related parties with which the entity has entered into transactions.
Schedule of Principal Related Parties [Table Text Block]
Schedule of principal related parties with which the Group had transactions
Tabular disclosure of balances due to or from related parties as of the balance sheet date.
Schedule of Related Party Balances [Table Text Block]
Schedule of related party balances
Represents the amount of payments for services provided in connection with the sale of equity interest in discontinued operation.
Payments for Services in Connection with Sale of Equity Interest in Discontinued Operation
Amount paid in connection with disposal of equity interest
Represents the products or group of products pertaining to the PC camera multimedia products that are sold by the entity.
PC Camera Multimedia Products [Member]
PC camera multimedia products [Member]
Represents the products or group of products pertaining to the Image sensors that are sold by the entity.
Image Sensors [Member]
Image sensors [Member]
Disclosures pertaining to income taxes.
Income Taxes [Table]
This item contains the list of countries in which the entity has operations.
Country [Axis]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Taxation [Line Items]
Represents information pertaining to countries other than China.
Non China [Member]
Non-China [Member]
Represents details pertaining to Viewtel Corporation, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Viewtel Corporation [Member]
Viewtel [Member]
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Electronics International Limited, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro Electronics International Limited [Member]
Vimicro Hong Kong [Member]
Represents the preferential tax rate applicable to the entity under the preferential tax treatment.
Income Tax Preferential Tax Rate
Preferential tax rate (as a percent)
Represents the period for which the preferential tax rate is applicable as a High and New Technology Enterprise.
Income Tax Period for which Preferential Tax Rate is Applicable
Period for which preferential tax rate is applicable as high and new technology enterprise
Represents the income tax withholding rate applicable under the new Enterprise Income Tax Law on dividends from the entities registered outside PRC to non-China resident shareholders.
Withholding Income Tax Rate on Dividends from Entities Registered Outside PRC to Nonresident Shareholders
Withholding income tax rate on dividends from the entities registered outside PRC to their non-China resident shareholders (as a percent)
Represents the income tax withholding rate applicable under the new EIT Law on the dividends which arise from profits of foreign invested enterprise distributed to its foreign non-resident enterprise investors.
Withholding Income Tax Rate on Dividends from Foreign Invested Enterprises to Foreign Nonresident Enterprise Investors
Withholding income tax rate on dividends from foreign investment enterprise to foreign non-resident enterprise investors (as a percent)
Represents the income tax withholding rate applicable under the new EIT Law on earnings generated after a specified date.
Withholding Income Tax Rate on Earnings Generated after Specified Date
Income tax withholding rate on earnings generated after December 31, 2007 (as a percent)
Represents the percentage of extra deduction on qualified research and development expenditures.
Income Tax Percentage of Extra Deduction on Qualified Research and Development Expenditures
Percentage of extra deduction on qualified R&D expenditures
Represents the reversal of amount of the unpaid sum of the known and estimated amounts payable to satisfy all domestic and foreign income tax obligations due. This amount is the total of current and noncurrent accrued income taxes.
Accrued Income Taxes Reversed
Reversed accrual of PRC income tax expense
Represents the withholding tax imposed on payments of dividends.
Income Taxes Withholding Tax on Payment of Dividend
Withholding tax imposed on payments of dividends
Represents the amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from the allowance for doubtful accounts and slow-moving inventories.
Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Reserves and Accruals Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Slow Moving Inventories
Provision for doubtful accounts and slow-moving inventories
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration [Abstract]
Expiration of tax losses carried forward
Represents the amount of operating loss carryforwards included in total operating loss carryforwards expiring during the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Two
2016
Represents the amount of operating loss carryforwards included in total operating loss carryforwards expiring during the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Three
2017
Represents the amount of operating loss carryforwards included in total operating loss carryforwards expiring during the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Four
2018
Represents the amount of operating loss carryforwards included in total operating loss carryforwards expiring during the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year Five
2019
Value Added Tax [Abstract]
PRC Value Added Tax (VAT)
Represents the output value added tax rate.
Output Value Added Tax Rate
Output VAT rate (as a percent)
Business Tax [Abstract]
PRC Business Tax (BT)
Represents the service income business tax rate.
Service Income Business Tax Rate
Service income BT rate (as a percent)
Represents the input value added tax rate.
Input Value Added Tax Rate
Input VAT rate (as a percent)
UNITED STATES [Member]
USA [Member]
U.S. [Member]
Represents the value added tax rate.
Value Added Tax Rate
VAT rate (as a percent)
Represents the value added tax withhold rate.
Value Added Tax Withhold Rate
VAT withhold rate (as a percent)
Represents information pertaining to equipment and office furniture, motor vehicles and software.
Equipment and Office Furniture, Motor Vehicles and Software [Member]
Equipment and office furniture, motor vehicles and software
The portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by additional R&D deduction under enacted tax laws during the period.
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Additional R and D Deduction
Additional R&D deduction (as a percent)
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences Difference in R&D expenses capitalization.
Deferred Tax Assets R and D Expenses Capitalization
Difference in research and development expenses capitalization
Identification of related party with an indirect relationship to the reporting entity.
Related Party Secondary Categorization [Domain]
Represents the amount of the collateral pledged in support of debt obligation as of the balance sheet date.
Debt Instrument Carrying Amount of Collateral Pledged
Net book value of construction and the underlying land use rights
Represents the variable rate on the debt instrument as a percentage of benchmark lending rate.
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate as Percentage of Benchmark Lending Rate
Annualized variable interest rate as percentage of benchmark lending rate of the People's Bank of China
Represents the percentage of repayment of principal amount due in second year from the date of issuance.
Line of Credit Facility, Percentage of Repayment of Principal Amount Due, Year Two
Percentage of repayment of principal amount in 2015 under the facility
Represents the percentage of repayment of principal amount due in third year from the date of issuance.
Line of Credit Facility, Percentage of Repayment of Principal Amount Due, Year Three
Percentage of repayment of principal amount in 2016 under the facility
Represents the details pertaining to parent company of Vimicro Shenzhen.
Parent Company of Vimicro Technology Corporation [Member]
Parent company of Vimicro Shenzhen [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Nanjing Xuanwu District State-owned Assets Investment & Management Holding (Group) Co., Ltd.
Nanjing Xuanwu District, State Owned Assets Investment and Management Holding Group Co Ltd [Member]
State-owned Assets Management Co. [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Zhonghan Deng a related party of the entity.
Zhonghan Deng [Member]
Zhonghan Deng [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Zhaowei Jin a related party of the entity.
Zhaowei Jin [Member]
Zhaowei Jin [Member]
Represents the details pertaining to Xiaodong Yang a related party of the entity.
Xiaodong Yang [Member]
Xiaodong Yang [Member]
Represents the entire disclosure for other long-term debt.
Other Long Term Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
Other long-term debt
Represents the details pertaining to Vimicro Fuzhou Corporation.
Vimicro Fuzhou Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Fuzhou [Member]
Represents information pertaining to the Strategic Cooperative Framework Agreement, or the Frame Agreement.
Strategic Cooperative Framework Agreement [Member]
Strategic Cooperative Framework Agreement or the Frame Agreement [Member]
Represents the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts of subsidy due under the terms of governmental, corporate, or foundation grants.
Subsidy Receivable from Government
Government subsidy granted
Represents the period from setup of entity that a loan is to be granted by governmental authority.
Period from Setup of Entity that Loan is to be Granted by Governmental Authority
Period from setup of entity that loan is to be granted by Fuzhou Municipal Government
Represents the term of loan.
Term of Asset Backed Loan
Term of loan
Represents the period to repay the Government grants.
Period to Repay Government Grants
Period to repay Government grants
Represents the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of additional subsidy due under the terms of governmental, corporate, or foundation grants, which will be receivable in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.
Additional Subsidy Receivable from Government in Next Twelve Months
Subsidy receivable in the next year
Represents the amount of additional borrowings on the debt instrument to be provided under the terms of the agreement in the next twelve months.
Debt Instrument, Additional Borrowings to be Provided in Next Twelve Months
Additional interest free government loan to be provided in next twelve months
Represents the amount of deferred government subsidy grant received during the period.
Deferred Government Subsidy Grant, Additions
Government grant received
Represents the charge to products that represents the reduction of the carrying amount of inventory, generally attributable to obsolescence or market conditions.
Inventory Write Down for Product
Inventory write-down for product
Represents the cash outflow on disposal of equity interest during the period classified as investing activity.
Payments for Disposal of Equity Interest Investing Activities
Cash decrease of disposal of equity interest
Represents the cash outflow relating to discontinued operations during the period classified as investing activity.
Payments for Discontinued Operations Investing Activities
Cash decrease of discontinued operations
Represents the information pertaining to interest free government loan.
Interest Free Government Loan [Member]
Interest free government loan [Member]
Represents the income tax payable on the distribution of earnings of foreign invested enterprises.
Income Taxes Payable on Distribution of Earnings of Foreign Invested Enterprises
Income tax payable on distribution of earnings of foreign invested enterprises
Represents the cash inflow for the repayment to clear balance of related party.
Repayment from Related Parties to Clear Balance
Repayment from related parties to clear balance
Represents AR received on behalf of related party in a related party transaction.
Receipt of AR on behalf of Related Party
Receipt of account receivable on behalf of related parties
Represents the rental deposit taken back in a related party transaction.
Take Back of Rental Deposit
Take back of rental deposit
Represents the rental deposit withdrawn in a related party transaction.
Withdraw Rental Deposit
Withdraw the rental deposit
Tabular disclosure of the useful life of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the period by major class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by nature or by their use in the operations of the company.
Schedule of Acquired Finite Lived Intangible Assets Useful Lives by Major Class [Table Text Block]
Schedule of intangible assets useful lives from date of acquisition
Represents the details pertaining to China Construction Bank.
China Construction Bank [Member]
China Construction Bank [Member]
Represents the bottom price for overground floor of R&D office buildings which if not sold will be purchased by the management committee.
Bottom Price for Overground Floor of Research and Development Office Buildings
Bottom price for overground floor of R&D office buildings (in dollars per square meter)
Represents the bottom price for underground floor of R&D office buildings which if not sold will be purchased by the management committee.
Bottom Price for Underground Floor of Research and Development Office Buildings
Bottom price for underground floor of R&D office buildings (in dollars per square meter)
Represents the obligation for post retirement or other welfare benefits beyond the annual contributions.
Defined Contribution Plan Postretirement or Other Welfare Benefits Obligation Beyond Annual Contributions
Obligation for post retirement or other welfare benefits beyond the annual contributions
Represents the amount of required minimum rental payments maturing beyond third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Beyond Three Years
Operating lease commitment beyond 2015
Represents the amount of borrowings on the debt instrument to be provided under the terms of the agreement.
Debt Instrument, Borrowings to be Provided
Interest free government loan to be provided
Represents the amount received from related party.
Related Party Transaction, Amount Received from Related Party
Payment received from related party
Other adjustments related to the net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow).
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Other Adjustments
Change in restricted cash
Cash Paid During Year for [Abstract]
Cash paid during the year for:
Represents the payments made to co-operators as a part of operating capital which is expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).
Payments to Co-operators as Operating Capital, Current
Payment made to co-operators as operating capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Movement of accumulated other comprehensive income [Roll Forward]
Represents the entire disclosure for other noncurrent liabilities.
Other Liabilities Noncurrent Disclosure [Text Block]
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Tabular disclosure of other noncurrent liabilities.
Schedule of Other Liabilities Noncurrent [Table Text Block]
Schedule of other long-term liabilities
Represents the income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and income (loss) from equity method investments, which is eligible for partial benefit of income tax.
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes Minority Interest and Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Eligible for Partial Benefit
Taxable income eligible for partial benefit
Represents the graduated rate applied to income tax.
Income Tax Graduated Rate
Graduated rate (as a percent)
Represents the income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, minority interests and income (loss) from equity method investments, which is eligible for benefit of income tax.
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes Minority Interest and Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Eligible for Benefit
Taxable income eligible for benefit
Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible loss carryforwards other than operating loss.
Deferred Tax Assets Loss Carryforwards Other than Operating Loss
Non-operating loss carry-forwards
Represents the amount of operating loss carryforwards included in total operating loss carryforwards expiring during the first fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Year One
2015
Represents the amount of liabilities derecognized upon deconsolidation.
Derecognition of Liabilities upon Deconsolidation
Loss on divestiture
Information pertaining to summary of significant accounting policies.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Table]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Summary of significant accounting policies
For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), other receivable and cash.
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Other Receivable and Cash
Other receivable and cash
Reduction in valuation allowance for a specified deferred tax asset related to disposal group.
Valuation Allowance Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount Recognized for Disposals Group
Decrease in valuation allowance, related to the disposal of Visiondigi and Vimicro Shanghai
For the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), carrying amount of receivable owed from parent.
Disposal Group Including Discontinued Operation Receivable from Parent
Due from parent
The portion of the difference between the effective income tax rate and domestic federal statutory income tax rate that can be explained by the difference between deferred tax rates recorded during the period.
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Deferred Tax Rate Differential
Deferred tax rate differential (as a percent)
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Represents the number of installments within which the repayment will be made.
Number of Installments
Number of Installments
Represents the loan from China Construction Bank, Tianjin branch, at 6.72% per annum.
Loan from China Construction Bank at 6.72 Percent [Member]
Loan from China Construction Bank, Tianjin branch, at 6.72% per annum [Member]
Represents the loan from China Construction Bank, Tianjin branch, at 7.25% per annum.
Loan from China Construction Bank at 7.25 Percent [Member]
Loan from China Construction Bank, Tianjin branch, at 7.25% per annum [Member]
Represents the withholding income tax rate on royalty income for the entities established outside of country of income tax authority, expressed as a percentage.
Withholding Income Tax Rate on Royalty Income for Entities Established Outside of Country of Income Tax Authority
Withholding income tax rate on royalty income for the entities established outside Hong Kong (as a percent)
Represents information pertaining to the Cooperative Agreement.
Cooperative Agreement [Member]
Cooperative Agreement [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Nanjing Xuanwu District Management and Investment of State-Owned Assets Holdings (Group) Co., Ltd. (Xuanwu SAMC).
Nanjing Xuanwu District Management and Investment of State Owned Assets Holdings Group Co Ltd [Member]
Xuanwu SAMC [Member]
Represents the amount of agreement entered into by the entity, for developing properties.
Long Term Commitment Amount
Cost to develop properties
Represents the amount to be paid to the entity as deposit under agreement.
Receivables under Contractual Obligations
Amount paid as down payment
Represents information pertaining to Zhongxinyingcai.
Zhongxinyingcai [Member]
Zhongxinyingcai [Member]
Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of sales deposit for properties not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).
Sales Deposit for Properties, Noncurrent
Sales down payment for properties
This element provides the name of each investee, or group of investees for which combined disclosure is appropriate, in which the Entity has an investment accounted for as cost method investments and for which certain information is required or determined to be disclosed.
Cost Method Investee Name [Domain]
Accrued Professional Fees, Current
Accrued professional fees
Represents the amount of proceeds received from sales deposit for properties.
Proceeds from Sales Deposit for Properties Received
Sales deposit
Represents information related to customer Y, in terms of concentration.
Customer Y [Member]
Customer Y
Accrued Income Taxes
Accrued PRC income tax expenses
Income tax payable
Represents information pertaining to Vimicro Corporation and Vimicro Electronics Corporation.
Vimicro Corporation and Vimicro Electronics Corporation [Member]
Vimicro China and Vimicro Tianjin [Member]
The disclosure for other noncurrent assets.
Other Assets Noncurrent Disclosure [Text Block]
OTHER ASSETS
Represents the aggregate cost of goods produced and sold and services rendered to related party during the reporting period.
Cost of Revenue Related Party
Cost of revenue, cost of products payable to related party
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment
Less: accumulated depreciation
Represents the carrying value of contribution of intellectual properties in equity method investments.
Equity Method Investment Contributed Intellectual Properties Carrying Value
Contribution of the IPs at carrying amount
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Ending balance
Beginning balance
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total
Accumulated other comprehensive Income
Accounts Receivable and Provision for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Accounts receivable and provision for doubtful accounts
Inventories [Abstract].
Inventories
Represents the range of exercise prices of stock options from 0.00 dollars to 0.38 dollars.
Range of Exercise Prices from Dollars 0.00 to 0.38 [Member]
0.00-0.38 [Member]
Represents the amount of expense related to write-down of due from related parties to the amount expected to be collected.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable from Related Party
Provision for doubtful accounts, amounts due from related parties
Represents the details pertaining to Vimicro Gangsu.
Vimicro Gangsu [Member]
Vimicro Gangsu [Member]
Represents information pertaining to Vimicro Corporation and Vimicro Electronics International Limited.
Vimicro Corporation and Vimicro Electronics International Limited [Member]
Vimicro China and Vimicro Hong Kong [Member]
Percentage of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to effect of elimination of unrealized intra-entity profits.
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Elimination of Unrealized Intra Entity Profits
Effect of elimination of unrealized intra-entity profits
Represents research and development expenses incurred by subsidiary of major shareholder.
Research and Development Expenses Incurred by subsidiary of major shareholder
Research and development expenses incurred by subsidiary of major shareholder
Represents information pertaining to the Jiangsu International Economic Technology Cooperation Group Co. Ltd.
Jiangsu International Economic Technology Cooperation Group Co Ltd [Member]
Jiangsu International Economic Technology Cooperation Group Co. Ltd. [Member]
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities [Member]
Represents the amount of aggregate consideration under the construction contracting agreement.
Construction Contracts Consideration
Total consideration under the contract
Represents the progress payment as a percentage of the price for the then completed portion of the construction project.
Progress Payment as Percentage of Price for Completed Portion of Construction Project
Progress payment as a percentage of the price for the then completed portion of the construction project
Represents the percentage completion of finishing work and installation considered for progress payment.
Completion Percentage of Finishing Work and Installation Considered for Progress Payment
Percentage completion of finishing work and installation considered for progress payment
Represents the period after filing of the completed construction and approval of the construction price considered for payment of the difference between specified percentage of the approved construction price and the total amount the entity has paid through progress payments.
Period for Payment of Difference Between Specified Percentage of Approved Construction Price and Total Amount Paid Through Progress Payments
Period for payment of the difference between 95% of the approved construction price and the total amount the entity has paid through progress payments
Represents the percentage of the approved construction price considered for the payment of construction consideration.
Percentage of Approved Construction Price Considered for Payment of Construction Consideration
Percentage of the approved construction price considered for the payment of construction consideration
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Represents the percentage of the remaining construction price to be retained by the entity as a quality assurance fund.
Percentage of Remaining Construction Price to be Retained as Quality Assurance Fund
Percentage of the remaining construction price to be retained as a quality assurance fund
Represents the period for which the remaining construction price can be retained by the entity as a quality assurance fund.
Period for which Remaining Construction Price Can be Retained as Quality Assurance Fund
Period for which the remaining construction price can be retained as a quality assurance fund
Represents the details pertaining to Wuxi Vimicro Corporation.
Tianshi Vimicro Corporation [Member]
Vimicro Tianshi [Member]
Amount of after-tax income appropriated towards the statutory surplus reserve.
Appropriations to Statutory Surplus Reserve
Profit appropriations to statutory reserves
Appropriation to statutory reserves
Amount of deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary.
Deferred Income Received from Disposal of Subsidiary
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary
Disclosure of accounting policy for noncontrolling interests.
Noncontrolling Interests [Policy Text Block]
Noncontrolling interests
Represents information related to customer D, in terms of concentration.
Customer D [Member]
Customer D [Member]
The cash inflow associated with the amount received from the government grants during the period.
Proceeds from Government Grants
Proceeds from government grants
Government Grants [Abstract]
Government grants
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY [Abstract]
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY [Abstract]
Balance sheet classification of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) current assets included in the statement of financial position of the reporting entity. This element is applicable for variable interests whether the reporting entity has a controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary) or not.
Variable Interest Entity Classification of Carrying Amount Current Assets
Current assets
Balance sheet classification of the Variable Interest Entity's (VIE) shareholder's equity included in the statement of financial position of the reporting entity. This element is applicable for variable interests whether the reporting entity has a controlling financial interest (primary beneficiary) or not.
Variable Interest Entity Classification of Carrying Amount Liabilities Shareholders Equity
Shareholder's equity
Represents the information pertaining to government grants and cash pledged for long-term bank loans.
Government Grants and Cash Pledged for Longterm Bank Loans [Member]
Government grants and cash pledged for long-term bank loans [Member]
Represents the information pertaining to customer deposit to develop retail business.
Customer Deposit to Develop Retail Business [Member]
Customer deposit to develop retail business [Member]
Represents the third group of employee of the entity.
Employee Three [Member]
Employee three [Member]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Represents the fourth group of employee of the entity.
Employee Four [Member]
Employee four [Member]
Represents the fifth group of employee of the entity.
Employee Five [Member]
Employee five [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other comprehensive income [Line Items]
Represents the details pertaining to Zxinyingcai.
Zxinyingcai [Member]
Zxinyingcai [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table]
Represents the details pertaining to Zhongtianxin.
Zhongtianxin [Member]
Zhongtianxin [Member]
Shares or units awarded to employees for services.
Service Based Stock Options [Member]
Service-based stock options [Member]
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Guangdong, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro Guangdong [Member]
Vimicro Guangdong [Member]
Represents the tax reduction percentage in tax rate after a specific period.
Tax Reduction Percentage in Income Tax Rate After Specific Period
Tax reduction percentage in tax rate after a specific period
Represents the tax reduction period after a specific period.
Tax Reduction Period After Specific Period
Tax reduction period after a specific period
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation adjustment [Member]
Percentage of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations attributable preferential tax treatment inside of PRC.
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Preferential Tax Treatment
Effect of preferential tax treatment inside of PRC (as a percent)
Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary.
Other Comprehensive Income Deferred Income Received from Disposal of Subsidiary Arising During Period Net of Tax
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary
Deferred income received from disposal of a subsidiary
Tabular disclosure of details of the subsidiaries and variable interest entities.
Schedule of Details of Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]
Schedule of details of the subsidiaries and VIE
Contains information pertaining to organization and principal activities of the entity.
Organization and Principal Activities [Table]
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Electronic Technology Corporation, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro Electronic Technology Corporation [Member]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life
Intangible assets useful lives
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Guangdong Corporation, one of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the entity.
Vimicro Guangdong Corporation [Member]
Represents details pertaining to Vimicro Sky-Vision Technology Corporation.
Vimicro Sky-Vision Technology Corporation [Member]
Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.
Details of the subsidiaries and VIE [Line Items]
The number of indirectly owned subsidiaries.
Number of Indirectly Owned Subsidiaries
Number of indirectly owned subsidiaries
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Asset, Residual Value
Residual value
Amount of appropriation for the period determined using accounting principles prescribed or permitted by statutory accounting practices (rather than GAAP, if different) of the state or country.
Statutory Accounting Practices Statutory Appropriation Amount
Total appropriation to statutory reserves
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangibles
Amount of commitments to finance the construction of the project that had not been recognized in the financial statements.
Commitments to Finance Construction of Project Not Recognized in Financial Statements
Commitments to finance the construction of the project that had not been recognized in the financial statements
Amount per American Depository Receipt of equity securities issued by non-development stage entity.
Shares Issued Price Per American Depository Receipt
Purchase price per ADS
The number of ordinary shares of the entity, which a party to the agreement will hold immediately after the closing of the transaction.
Ordinary Shares of Entity that Party to Agreement will hold Immediately after Closing of Transaction
Ordinary shares of the entity to be held by party to the agreement immediately after the closing of the transaction
Equity ownership percentage of the entity, which a party to the agreement will hold immediately after the closing of the transaction.
Equity Ownership Percentage of Entity that Party to Agreement will hold Immediately after Closing of Transaction
Equity ownership of the entity to be held by party to the agreement immediately after the closing of the transaction
The lock-up period of ordinary shares.
Lock Up Period of Ordinary Shares
Lock-up period of ordinary shares
The period for which Group had commitments to finance the construction of the project.
Period for which Group had Commitments to Finance Construction of Project
Period for which Group had commitments to finance the construction of the project
Represents information pertaining to stock purchase agreement with Zongyi.
Stock purchase agreement with Zongyi [Member]
Disclosure of accounting policy for long-term investment.
Long Term Investment [Policy Text Block]
Long-term Investments
Represents information pertaining to common stock outstanding.
Common Stock Outstanding [Member]
Ordinary Shares [Member]
Related paid-in capital [Member]
Identified as tax year 2015.
Tax Year 2015 [Member]
2015 [Member]
Identified as tax year 2016.
Tax Year 2016 [Member]
2016 [Member]
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance
Additional paid-in capital
Identified as tax year 2017.
Tax Year 2017 [Member]
2017 [Member]
Identified as tax year 2018.
Tax Year 2018 [Member]
2018 [Member]
Identified as tax year 2019.
Tax Year 2019 [Member]
2019 [Member]
Expiration period of each operating loss carryforward included in operating loss carryforward.
Operating Loss Carry-forwards Expiration Period
Operating loss carryforward expiration period
The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an cost method investment, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of less than 20 percent.
Payments To Acquire Cost Method Investments
Long-term investment in cost method
Entire disclosure for assets related to consideration paid in advance for costs that provide economic benefits in future periods, and amount of other assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Current [Text Block]
PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Taxation [Abstract]
TAXATION [Abstract]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Accumulated paid-in capital
The entire disclosure for taxes, including income tax, value added tax and busines tax.
Taxation [Text Block]
TAXATION
Represents the favorable tax rate applicable to the entity based on a review of local tax bureau annually.
Income Tax, Favorable Tax Rate
Favorable tax rate (as a percent)
In accordance with the laws applicable to the reporting entity, this amount represents the balance from required appropriations of after-tax profit to non-distributable reserve funds.
Statutory Reserve, Balance
Statutory reserve
Total appropriation
Amortization
Amortization
Amortization, Total
Amortization expenses
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation and Exercise of Stock Options
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Program, Requisite Service Period Recognition
Share-based compensation expense-employees
Advertising Cost, Policy, Expensed Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]
Advertising costs
Advertising Expense
Advertising costs charged to expense
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense
Share-based compensation expense recognized (in dollars)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance
Provision for doubtful accounts, accounts and notes receivable
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Recoveries
Reversal of provision for doubtful accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Premiums and Other Receivables
Provision for doubtful accounts, prepayments and other current assets
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
Provision for doubtful accounts
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization expenses
Amortization expenses of intangible assets
Amount of Restricted Net Assets for Consolidated and Unconsolidated Subsidiaries
Restricted net assets
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount
Share options and non-vested restricted shares outstanding
Share options and non-vested restricted shares outstanding
Asset Impairment Charges
Asset impairment
Asset Impairment Charges, Total
Assets impairment
Asset impairment
Asset under Construction [Member]
Construction in progress [Member]
Assets
Total assets
Total assets
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Current assets:
Assets [Abstract]
Assets
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation
Book value of the total asset
Assets, Current
Current assets
Total current assets
Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]
Property under capital lease [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring
Assets measured on nonrecurring basis
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basis of presentation
Business Acquisition [Axis]
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred
Net carrying amount acquired
Counterparty Name [Axis]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due
Future minimum lease payments
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member]
Capital commitments [Member]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Due from Banks
Cash and bank deposits in the PRC
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Restricted cash
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Short-term Investments
Cash and cash equivalents and temporarily restricted cash
Cash and bank deposits in the PRC
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]
Use of estimates
Change in Accounting Estimate, Type [Domain]
Changes Measurement [Member]
Total losses
Change in Accounting Estimate by Type [Axis]
Class of Treasury Stock [Table]
Class of Stock [Domain]
Variable Interest Entity, Classification [Domain]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Nominal or par value of shares (in dollars per share)
Ordinary shares, par value (in dollars per share)
Par value of ordinary shares granted (in dollars per share)
Common Stock [Member]
Ordinary Shares [Member]
Related paid-in capital [Member]
Common Stock, Value, Issued
Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 155,152,737 shares issued and 104,014,754 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and 155,788,653 shares issued and 103,161,018 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2014
Common Stock, Shares, Issued
Ordinary shares, shares issued
Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total
Ordinary shares granted
Common Stock, Shares Authorized
Ordinary shares, shares authorized
Shares authorized for issuance
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance
Ordinary shares, shares outstanding
Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Ordinary shares granted
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Income taxes
Composition of income tax expense relating to China operations
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Classification on the consolidated balance sheets
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Comprehensive loss attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Comprehensive(loss)/income attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Comprehensive (loss)/income
Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Comprehensive(loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Comprehensive loss
Comprehensive(loss)/income
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Concentration Risk Type [Domain]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration of risks [Line Items]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain]
Concentration Risk Type [Axis]
Concentration Risk [Table]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis]
Concentration Risk, Percentage
Customers accounted for (as a percent)
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY [Line Items]
Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Text Block]
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE COMPANY [Abstract]
Consolidation Items [Domain]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Principles of consolidation
Consolidation Items [Axis]
Construction in Progress [Member]
Construction in progress [Member]
Contributions in Aid of Construction
Sales down payment for properties
Cost Method Investments
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, at cost
Long-term investment
Cost Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, at cost
Cost of Revenue
Cost of revenue
Cost of Revenue, Total
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenues
Cost-method Investments, Realized Gains
Gain on disposal of interest
Cost Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, at cost (Vimicro Qingdao and Visiondigi)
Credit Facility [Axis]
Credit Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration of credit risk [Member]
Credit Facility [Domain]
Currency [Axis]
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Current income tax expense
Customer Advances, Current
Advances from customers
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Customer concentration risk [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term bank loan [Line Items]
Other long-term debt [Line Items]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
Government loan received
LONG-TERM BANK LOAN [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage
Interest rate (as a percent)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross, Noncurrent
Deferred tax liabilities - non-current
Total deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Difference in tax basis from ViSS acquisition
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net [Abstract]
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Table Text Block]
Schedule of prepayments and other current assets
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred income tax benefit
Deferred income tax benefit/(expense)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
Deferred Tax Asset, Parent's Basis in Discontinued Operation
Loss arising from disposal of assets due to operation discontinued
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent
Deferred tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current
Deferred tax assets
Deferred Revenue, Current
Deferred income from equity investee
Deferred income from equity investee
Deferred income from equity investee
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets, Other
Others
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current
Deferred tax assets current
Deferred tax assets, current
Less: Current portion of deferred tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities
Accrued expenses, payroll and others
Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Noncurrent
Deferred tax assets, non-current
Net deferred tax assets, non-current
Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards
Operating loss carry-forwards
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance
Valuation allowance
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment
Differences in tax basis for property equipment and software, non-current
Deferred tax liability for temporary difference between accounting basis and tax basis for property and equipment
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized
Welfare benefits expenses
Depreciation, Nonproduction
Depreciation expenses
Depreciation
Depreciation, Total
Depreciation
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Core technology
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation
Income tax expense
Income tax expense
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax
Net loss from operations before income tax
Net loss from operations before income tax
Discontinued Operation, Amount of Other Income (Loss) from Disposition of Discontinued Operations, before Income Tax
Other income/(loss)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax
Net loss on disposal
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Intangible Assets, Current
Carrying amount of the total asset Land use right
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Domain]
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense
Operating expenses
Operating expenses
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue
Net revenue
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Gross Profit (Loss)
Gross profit
Gross profit
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash
Carrying amount of cash
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Long Lived Assets
Long-lived asset or disposal group classified as held for sale
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Results of operations of Vimicro Wuxi, mobile business and Visiondigi were separately presented on the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss under Discontinued Operations
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Costs of Goods Sold
Cost of revenue
Cost of revenue
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets of Disposal Group
Disposal group classified as held for sale
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Due from Employees, Current
Amounts due from employees
Due from Related Parties, Current
Amounts due from related party
Amounts due from related parties:
Amounts due from related parties, net of provision for doubtful accounts of $2,156 and $1,871 as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively
Due to Employees, Current
Payables to employees
Due to Related Parties, Current
Amounts due to related parties
Due to Related Parties, Current, Total
Due from Affiliate, Current
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
(Loss)/income per share-basic
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
(Loss)/income per share-diluted
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding
Denominator (in number of shares):
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract]
Anti-dilutive shares
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Total (loss)/income per share-basic (in dollars per share)
Total (loss)/income per share-basic (in dollars per share)
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
(Loss)/income per share
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Total (loss)/income per share-diluted (in dollars per share)
Total (loss)/income per share-diluted (in dollars per share)
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
(Loss)/income per share
Earnings per common share:
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Reconciliation between the PRC's statutory income tax rate and the actual effective tax rate
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Nondeductible Expense, Percent
Non-deductible expenses (as a percent)
Non-deductible expenses (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Percent
Other (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent
Change in valuation allowance (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Prior Year Income Taxes, Percent
Income tax in respect of prior years (as a percent)
Effect of preferential tax treatment inside of PRC
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent
PRC income tax rate (as a percent)
Statutory tax rate (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent
Effect of foreign tax rates differential (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Holiday, Percent
Effect of preferential tax treatment (as a percent)
Employee-related Liabilities, Current
Accrued salaries and welfare expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense
Income tax benefit recognized for share-based compensation arrangements
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Capitalized Amount
Capitalized share-based compensation expenses
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to restricted shares (in dollars)
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition
Weighted-average vesting period for recognition of unrecognized share-based compensation expense
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options
Total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to share options (in dollars)
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
SEGMENT REPORTING [Line Items]
Equity and Cost Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Investment in an equity investee
Equity Method Investments
Investment in an equity investee
Investment in an equity investee
Equity Method Investment, Deferred Gain on Sale
Deferred gross profit on equity investment
Deferred gross profit on equity investment
Deferred gross profit on equity investment
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]
Summary of information regarding deferred income from equity investee
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage
Equity interest (as a percent)
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal
Accumulated gain on equity investment
Gain on disposal of equity interest
Gain or loss on disposal
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
Gain on disposal of equity interests
Investment, Name [Domain]
Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost
Equity method investment made
Investment in original cost
Equity Component [Domain]
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure
Investment in equity investee
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Share repurchase program [Line Items]
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Estimated fair value
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired
Consideration for land use rights under the transfer agreement
Land use rights acquired
Fair value of acquired intangible assets
Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table]
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Non-recurring fair value measurements
Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of financial measurements
Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain]
Measurement Basis [Axis]
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]
Summary of non-recurring fair value measurements for each class of assets
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Fair value measurements
Fair Value Measurement [Domain]
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Significance Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four
2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life
Maximum useful life of land use rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross
Cost
Cost of land use rights, gross
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
LAND USE RIGHTS, NET [Line Items]
Commitments and contingencies [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Estimated amortization expense of land use rights acquired
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
Less: accumulated amortization
Accumulated amortization
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Carrying amount of intangible assets
Net
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months
2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five
2019
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two
2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three
2017
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
Foreign currency transactions and translation
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain, net
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax, Total
Foreign exchange (gain) loss
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Stock in Subsidiary
Gain on disposal of subsidiary and equity interest
Gain from disposal subsidiary
Gain on disposal of a subsidiary
Gain on disposal of subsidiary and equity interest
Gain on disposal of subsidiaries
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment
Loss from disposal of property and equipment
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment, Total
Loss from disposal of property and equipment
General and Administrative Expense
General and administrative
General and Administrative Expense, Total
General and administrative
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
General and administrative [Member]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss
Impairment losses
Goodwill
Balance as of the end of the period
Balance as of the beginning of the period
Goodwill
Goodwill, Total
Goodwill resulted in acquisition
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Goodwill
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Intangible assets
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Changes of goodwill
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Golf memberships
Goodwill And Intangible Assets
Goodwill, Fair Value Disclosure
Goodwill
Gross Profit
Gross profit
Gross profit
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Intersegment elimination [Member]
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments
Impairment of investments
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)
Impairment charges
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Including Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Finite-lived
Impairment charge of intangible assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use
impairment loss
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments
Profit (loss) recognized from equity method investment
Equity in(loss)/gain of an equity investee, net of tax
Profit recognized from equity method investment
Equity in (gain)/loss of an equity investee, net of tax
Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Loss attributable to ordinary shareholders
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent
Net income /(Loss) from continuing operations attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Net income/(loss) from continuing operations attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Loss before share of net loss of subsidiaries
Loss before share of net loss of subsidiaries
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Diluted Share
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Components of (loss)/income before income taxes
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/LOSS [Abstract]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest
(Loss)/income before income taxes and share of loss of an unconsolidated affiliate
Net(loss)/income before income taxes and equity in (loss)/gain of an equity investee
Taxable income
Income Statement Location [Axis]
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes
Disposal Group Name [Axis]
Income (Loss) from Subsidiaries, Net of Tax
Share of net (loss)/income of subsidiaries
Share of net (loss)/income of subsidiaries
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS [Line item]
Discontinued operations
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Diluted Share
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)
Income (Loss) from Operations before Extraordinary Items, Per Basic and Diluted Share
Total loss per share - basic and diluted
Loss per basic and diluted ordinary shares (in dollars per share)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign
(Loss)/income arising from non-China operations
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic
(Loss)/income arising from China operations
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
Net loss
Income Statement Location [Domain]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share
Discontinued operations (in dollars per share)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense
Income tax expense
Income tax expense
Income tax expense
Income Tax Holiday, Aggregate Dollar Amount
Tax holiday impact
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
TAXATION
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net(loss)/income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
Income Taxes Paid
Income tax paid
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net loss from continuing operations
Net(loss)/income from continuing operations
Increase in loss from continuing operations
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes, Amount
Effective tax rate
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income taxes
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Taxes Payable
Taxes payable
Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Taxes Payable, Total
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable
Accounts payable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total
Increase (Decrease) in Due from Related Parties, Current
Amount due from related party
Increase (Decrease) in Due from Related Parties, Current, Total
Amounts due from related parties
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts and Notes Receivable
Accounts and notes receivable
Accounts and notes receivable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total
Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets
Other assets
Increase (Decrease) in Customer Advances
Advances from customers
Increase (Decrease) in Due from Affiliates, Current
Amounts due from subsidiaries
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase (Decrease) in Due to Related Parties, Current
Amounts due to related parties
Increase (Decrease) in Due to Related Parties, Current, Total
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Payable, Current
Notes payable
Increase (Decrease) in Notes Payable, Current, Total
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories
Inventories
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total
Inventories
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets
Prepayments and other current assets
Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Total
Prepayments and other current assets
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash for Operating Activities
Restricted cash
Restricted cash
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash
Change in restricted cash
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash, Total
Changes in restricted cash
Change in restricted cash
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares (in shares)
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Golf memberships
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
Carrying amount
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Changes of intangible assets
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)
Intangible assets, net
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total
Intangible assets
Interest Expense
Interest expense
Interest Costs Capitalized
Capitalized interest expenses as construction in progress
Capitalized interest expenses
Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net
Interest income/(expense), net
Interest Capitalization, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Capitalized interests
Interest Paid
Interest paid
Inventories [Member]
Product purchase commitments [Member]
Inventory, Net
Inventories
Inventory, Net, Total
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Inventories
Inventory, Finished Goods, Net of Reserves
Finished goods
Inventory, Raw Materials, Net of Reserves
Raw materials
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]
INVENTORIES
Inventory, Real Estate, Land and Land Development Costs
Properties under development
Inventory Write-down
Inventory provision
Inventory Valuation Reserves
Inventory reserve
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventory, Work in Process, Net of Reserves
Work in process
Investment Income, Interest
Interest income/(expense), net
Interest income
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures
Investment in subsidiaries
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures, Total
Amount invested by investee
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure
Investment
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates [Line Items]
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Table]
Investor [Member]
Investors [Member]
Long-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Long-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Leases
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Liabilities, Current
Total current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Liabilities and Equity
Total liabilities and equity
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring
Liabilities measured on nonrecurring basis
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Current liabilities:
Liabilities
Total liabilities
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities and shareholders' Equity
Long-term Line of Credit
Amount drawn down under the facility
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
Maximum credit facility
Line of Credit [Member]
Credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding (Deprecated 2014-01-31)
Amount drawn down under the facility
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity
Amount to be drawn down under the facility
Loans Payable to Bank, Current
Short-term bank loan
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]
Summary of information regarding the distribution of long-lived assets by geographic region
Long-term Debt [Text Block]
LONG-TERM BANK LOAN
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months
2014
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three
2016
Long-term Investments
Long-term investment
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two
2015
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Contractual maturities of loans
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four
2017
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five
2018 and thereafter
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five
2017
Loans Payable to Bank, Noncurrent
Long-term bank loan
Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis]
Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain]
Customer [Axis]
Management [Member]
Key employees and directors [Member]
SHORT-TERM TIME DEPOSITS
Marketable Securities, Realized Gain (Loss)
Gain on disposal of marketable equity securities
Marketable Securities, Gain (Loss), Total
Gain on disposal of marketable equity securities
Gain on sale of marketable equity securities
Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Marketable equity securities
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities
Marketable Securities, Equity Securities, Current
Marketable equity securities
Marketable Securities, Equity Securities, Current, Total
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]
Marketable Equity Securities
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]
Advertising costs
Maximum [Member]
Maximum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Minimum [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTt [Line Items]
Noncontrolling Interest Disclosure [Text Block]
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Noncontrolling Interest [Table]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent
Percentage of Direct or Indirect Economic Ownership
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at the end of the period
Balance at the beginning of the period
Noncontrolling interests
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners
Equity interest (as a percent)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Changes in noncontrolling interest [Roll Forward]
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets
Customer [Domain]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Net (Loss)/income attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders
Net (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Numerator:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities
NET CASH (USED FOR) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income (loss)
Net(loss)/income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total
Share of net loss of subsidiaries
Share of net loss of subsidiaries
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Recent accounting pronouncements
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Unallocated non-operating income, net
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Other income/(expense):
Other income:
Notes Payable to Bank, Noncurrent
Long-term bank loan
Total long-term bank loan
Total long-term bank loan
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Other long-term debt [Member]
Notes Payable, Related Parties
Carrying amount of loan receivable from Visiondigi
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Long-Term Bank Loan [Member]
Notes Payable, Current
Notes payable
Notes Payable, Current, Total
Number of Operating Segments
Number of reporting units
Number of operating segments
Number of principal business segments
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Subsidiary Equity Issuance
Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests (note 20)
Capital injection
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Non-controlling Interests [Member]
Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Sale of Parent Equity Interest
Disposal of subsidiary
Deconsolidation, Gain (Loss), Amount
Loss on divestiture
Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination
Purchase of equity interest in Visiondigi
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation
Disposal of a subsidiary
Disposal of subsidiary
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years
2019
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases
Operating Expenses [Abstract]
Operating expenses:
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses
Total operating expenses
Unallocated operating expenses
Total operating expenses
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years
2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance
Valuation allowances on the losses carried forward
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years
2017
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net
Rental expense
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years
2016
Operating Income (Loss)
Loss from operations
Net (loss)/income from operations
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date
Operating loss carryforward expiration date
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter
Thereafter
Operating Segments [Member]
Operating segment [Member]
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months
2015
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due
Total
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Losses carried forward
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]
ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES
Other Current Assets [Text Block]
PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income
Other comprehensive(loss)/income, net of tax
Total other comprehensive loss
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax of nil
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment into earnings due to disposal of VMF Shanghai
Reclassification of foreign currency translation adjustment into earnings due to disposal of a subsidiary, net of taxes
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax
Reclassification of unrealized gain on marketable equity security into earnings
Reclassification of unrealized gain on marketable equity securities into earnings
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Other long-term assets
Total other assets
Other Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Other Receivables, Net, Current
Other receivables
OTHER ASSETS
Other Assets, Miscellaneous, Noncurrent
Other
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax
Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total
Unrealized gain on marketable equity securities
Other Long-term Debt
Other long-term debt
Other long-term debt
Other Loans Payable, Long-term, Noncurrent
Interest free government loan
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Others, net
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
Total other long-term liabilities
Total other long-term liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Other Inventory, Materials, Supplies and Merchandise under Consignment, Gross
Consignment inventories included in finished goods
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current
Other accrued expenses
Products and Services [Domain]
Paid-in-Kind Interest
Interest expenses
Parent Company [Member]
The company [Member]
Parent [Member]
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Vimicro International Corporation [Member]
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Repurchase of shares
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities
Proceeds from sales deposit of properties
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets
Purchase of property, equipment and software
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets, Total
Purchase of property, equipment and software
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments
Investment in an equity investee
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired
Cash payment for business acquisition
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total
Acquisition of NES, net of cash acquired
Cash payment for business acquisition
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Total
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates, at cost
Payments of Financing Costs
Interest payment
Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments
Purchase of short-term time deposits
Increase (Decrease) in Time Deposits, Total
(Increase) in short-term time deposits
Short-term time deposits placed with financial institutions
Performance Shares [Member]
Performance-based stock options [Member]
Plan Name [Domain]
Plan Name [Axis]
Prepaid Expense, Current
Prepaid expenses
PREPAYMENTS AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS [Abstract]
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current
Prepayments and other current assets, net
Prepayments and other current assets
Prepayments and other current assets, net of provision for doubtful accounts of $429 and $537 as of December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively
Proceeds from Contribution in Aid of Construction
Proceeds from sales deposit of properties
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Related Party Debt
Repayment of loan
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Restricted Cash, Financing Activities
Changes in restricted cash
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities
Proceeds from other financing activities
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests
Capital contributions from noncontrolling interests
Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt
Proceeds from interest-free government loan
Proceeds from Related Party Debt
Loan from a related party
Non-interest bearing loan issued to Visiondigi
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates
Proceeds from disposal of subsidiaries
Proceeds from disposal of equity interest
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses and Interests in Affiliates, Total
Cash consideration of transfer of equity interest
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt
Proceeds from long-term bank loans
Proceeds from Income Tax Refunds
Overpaid withholding tax refund received
Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments
Maturity of short-term time deposits
Decrease in short-term time deposits
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
Proceeds from exercise of share options
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities
Proceeds from disposal of marketable equity securities
Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Marketable Securities, Total
Proceeds from Sale of Buildings
Amount of down payment
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total
Product Warranty Accrual, Current
Current portion of product warranty
Products and Services [Axis]
Product Warranty Disclosure [Text Block]
PRODUCT WARRANTY
Product Concentration Risk [Member]
Product concentration risk [Member]
Product Warranty Accrual, Noncurrent
Product warranty
Product Warranty Accrual, Warranties Issued
Warranty accrued
Product Warranty Accrual
Balance at the end of the period
Balance at the beginning of the period
Product warranty
Product Warranty Accrual, Total
PRODUCT WARRANTY [Abstract]
Product Warranty Accrual, Payments
Utilized
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net (loss)/income
Net income (loss)
Net(loss)/income
Net (loss)/income
Increase in net loss
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property, equipment and software, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life
Estimated useful life
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
Property, equipment and software, gross
Property, Plant and Equipment, Salvage Value, Percentage
Estimated residual values for equipment and office furniture, motor vehicles and software (as a percent)
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Fair Value Disclosure
Property, equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance
Property, equipment and software, net
Property equipment and software, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions
Construction amount capitalized as construction in progress
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE, NET [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
Schedule of property, equipment and software, net
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE, NET
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE, NET [Line Items]
Provision for Doubtful Accounts
Provision for doubtful accounts
Range [Axis]
Range [Domain]
Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Properties under development
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Provision for doubtful accounts
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related Parties Amount in Cost of Sales
Cost of revenue of sold inventories which purchased from related parties
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party
Purchase of inventories
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION [Line Items]
Related Party Costs
Cost of revenues
Related Party [Axis]
Related Party Transaction, Due from (to) Related Party [Abstract]
Related party balances
Related Party [Domain]
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS [Abstract]
Counterparty Name [Domain]
Research and Development Expense
Research and development, net
Research and development, net
Research and development, net
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Research and development costs
Research and Development Expense [Member]
Research and development, net [Member]
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES [Abstract]
Research, Development, and Computer Software Disclosure [Text Block]
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash
Restricted cash primarily related to the government grants and cash pledged for long-term bank loans
Restricted Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
RESTRICTED CASH
RESTRICTED CASH [Abstract]
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted shares [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Restricted cash [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain]
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance
Accumulated deficit
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total
Retained Earnings [Member]
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Revenue Recognition [Abstract]
Revenue recognition
Revenue from External Customers by Geographic Areas [Table Text Block]
Schedule of revenue attributed by country of domicile of the entity
Revenue from Grants
Grants received from authorities in the PRC mostly for surveillance related research and development activities
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue recognition
Revenue from Related Parties
Revenues
Related parties
Revenues
Net revenues
Total multimedia processors
Revenue
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
SEGMENT REPORTING [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value
Total fair value of shares vested
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Intrinsic Value
Intrinsic value at the end of the period (in dollars)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term
Expected life
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Exercisable Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted-average remaining contractual life
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted-average exercise price (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted-average remaining contractual life for share options vested and expected to vest
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Outstanding Options, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual life
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]
Schedule of estimated amortization expense of the land use rights acquired for each of next five years
Sales [Member]
Revenue [Member]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net [Member]
Product revenue [Member]
Sales Returns, Goods
Return of goods
Salvage Value [Member]
Revised estimated residual values
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member]
Before revision of estimate
Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
Adjustment
Scenario, forecast [Member]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Asset by Major Class [Table]
Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block]
Schedule of product warranty
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]
Summary of share options granted to both employees and non-employees
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]
Schedule of changes of intangible assets
Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Table]
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]
Schedule of assumptions for option grants
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of income tax benefit/(expense)
Condensed Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]
Schedule of balance sheets
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]
Schedule of contractual maturities of loans
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Schedule of reconciliation between the PRC statutory income tax rate and the effective tax rate
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]
Schedule of (loss)/income before income taxes
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]
Schedule of significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]
Schedule of changes in unrecognized tax benefits
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table]
Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table]
Schedule of Change in Accounting Estimate [Table]
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]
Schedule of future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable operating leases
Schedule of Related Party Transactions [Table Text Block]
Summary of related party transactions
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Movement of accumulated other comprehensive income
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]
Summary of computation of basic and diluted (loss)/income attributable to ordinary shareholders
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]
Schedule of statements of operations and comprehensive income / (loss)
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]
Summary of restricted shares granted to both employees and non-employees
Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block]
Schedule of statements of cash flows
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]
Schedule of inventories
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
Schedule of land use rights
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Long-term debt
Schedule of other long-term liabilities
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table]
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]
Summary of the Group's revenues for each product class
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]
Schedule of results of the operations of mobile business and Visiondigi were separately presented on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss/income under Discontinued Operations
Condensed Financial Statements [Table]
Investment, Name [Axis]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
Schedule of changes of goodwill
Schedule of Goodwill [Table]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Summary of information by business segments
Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table]
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]
Schedule of other assets
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]
Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table]
Class of Treasury Stock [Table Text Block]
Summary of share repurchase
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]
Summary of information with respect to options outstanding
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table]
Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor [Table Text Block]
Summary of customers who accounted for more than 10% of the total revenue or accounts receivables
Secured Debt [Member]
Long-term bank loan [Member]
Secured Debt
Asset-backed loan
SEGMENT REPORTING [Abstract]
Segment reporting
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
SEGMENT REPORTING [Line Items]
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Segment reporting
Segments [Domain]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
SEGMENT REPORTING
Geographical [Domain]
Selling and Marketing Expense
Selling and marketing
Selling and Marketing Expense, Total
Selling and marketing
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]
Selling and marketing [Member]
Service Life [Member]
Revised estimated useful life
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedRollForward
Number of restricted shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Weighted-average exercise price
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period
Granted (in shares)
Ordinary shares granted
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Exercise price of options granted (in dollars per share)
Options granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options forfeited (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number
Non-vested at the end of the period (in shares)
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in shares)
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in shares)
Non-vested at the end of the period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Maximum
Maximum expected volatility (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate, Minimum
Minimum expected volatility (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based Compensation, Total
Share-based compensation expenses
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based compensation expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized
Additional shares authorized for future grants
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period
Vested (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Maximum
Maximum risk-free interest rates (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period
Vesting period
Vesting term
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Weighted average grant date fair value
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross
Share options granted (in shares)
Options granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at the end of the period (in dollars per share)
Non-vested at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Forfeited (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period
Forfeited (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options expired or cancelled (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate, Minimum
Minimum risk-free interest rates (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Options exercised (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value
Total fair value of shares vested (in dollars)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period
Options expired or cancelled (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period
Options forfeited (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Vested (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value
Total intrinsic value of options exercised (in dollars)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized
Ordinary shares reserved for grant
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology [Abstract]
Assumptions for options with 5 years vesting period after grant date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]
Share-based compensation
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Incremental Compensation Cost
Recognized share-based compensation expense arising from the re-pricing of awards (in dollars)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Information with respect to options outstanding [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Plan Modification, Number of Employees Affected
Number of employees in senior management affected by repricing of options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value
Intrinsic value at the end of the period (in dollars)
Exercise Price Range [Axis]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Number of Options
Equity Award [Domain]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate intrinsic value for share options vested and expected to vest (in dollars)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Outstanding Options
Number of options outstanding (in shares)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Number of Exercisable Options
Number of options exercisable (in shares)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit
Exercise prices, high end of range (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit
Exercise prices, low end of range (in dollars per share)
Exercise prices (in dollars per share)
Shares Issued, Price Per Share
Purchase price per ordinary share
Shares, Outstanding
Balance (in shares)
Balance (in shares)
Short-term Investments
Short-term time deposits
Short-term Investments, Total
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]
Purchased software [Member]
Software
Standard Product Warranty Disclosure [Abstract]
Product Warranty
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Product warranty
Scenario [Axis]
Statement [Table]
Statement [Line Items]
Statement [Line Items]
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Geographical [Axis]
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract]
Equity Components [Axis]
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]
Segments [Axis]
Class of Stock [Axis]
Statutory Accounting Practices, Statutory Capital and Surplus Required
Statutory reserve
Total appropriation
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount
Maximum share repurchase amounts
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value
Amount reversed related to shares cancelled out of the repurchased share
Share retirement
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Treasury Stock Reissued
Reissuance of shares
Treasury stock Shares issued to incentive plan, shares
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares
Shares retired
Share retirement (in shares)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures
Treasury stock Shares issued to incentive plan (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares (in shares)
Options exercised (in shares)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Treasury Stock Reissued
Treasury stock Shares issued to incentive plan
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Exercise of share options/vested restricted shares, shares
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues
Issuance of ordinary shares (in shares)
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures
Treasury stock Shares issued to incentive plan
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues
Issuance of common shares
Investment to be made by third party
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Equity:
Shareholders' equity:
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Vimicro International Corporation
Shareholder's equity
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Balance
Balance
Total equity
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Subsequent Events [Text Block]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Abstract]
Subsequent Event [Table]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [Line Items]
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent event [Member]
Subsequent Event Type [Domain]
Subsequent Event Type [Axis]
Subsidiaries [Member]
PRC subsidiaries [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental disclosure of cashflow information:
Tax Period [Axis]
Tax Period [Domain]
Taxes Payable, Current
Taxes payable
Taxes Payable, Current, Total
SHORT-TERM TIME DEPOSTIS
Title of Individual [Axis]
Relationship to Entity [Domain]
Trade Names [Member]
Trade name
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Accounts receivable and provision for doubtful accounts
Transfer to Investments
Non-cash investment to equity investee
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method
Total consideration
Share repurchase
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired
Shares
Share repurchase (in shares)
Treasury Stock, Shares, Retired
Shares retired
Treasury Stock, Shares
Treasury stock (in shares)
Shares repurchased outstanding
Treasury Stock, Retired, Cost Method, Amount
Amount reversed related to shares cancelled out of the repurchased share
Share retirement
Treasury Stock [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Treasury stock [Member]
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share
Price per ADS (including brokerage commission) (in dollars per share)
Treasury Stock, Value
Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance
Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance
Treasury stock
Treasury stock at cost, 41,872,088 shares as of December 31, 2013 and 34,095,849 shares as of December 31, 2014
Type of Arrangement and Non-arrangement Transactions [Axis]
Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Category of Goods or Services Acquired [Domain]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense
Unrecognized tax benefits, interest or penalties recognized
Interest and penalties
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions
Additions based on tax position of the current year
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Ending balance
Beginning balance
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Commitments and contingencies [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months
Commitments to purchase goods or services
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation by Category of Item Purchased [Axis]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Table]
Use Rights [Member]
Land use rights [Member]
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of estimates
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance
Variable Interest Entities [Axis]
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
VIE [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable interest entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage
Percentage of Direct or Indirect Economic Ownership
Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block]
VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITY
Vehicles [Member]
Motor vehicles [Member]
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Denominator (in number of shares):
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic
basic (in shares)
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding - basic
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding - basic and diluted
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted
diluted (in shares)
Weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding-diluted