[Gray Cary Letterhead]




                                                                 Exhibit 5.1

July 27, 2000

Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549

RE:      ZORAN CORPORATION
         REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

As legal counsel for Zoran corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
we are rendering this opinion in connection with the preparation and filing of a
registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") relating to
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up to 334,682
shares of Common Stock to be sold by the Company (the "Shares").

We have examined such instruments, documents and records as we deemed relevant
and necessary for the basis of our opinion herein after expressed. In such
examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures and the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to
the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that the Shares are, when sold
and issued in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and
related Prospectus, will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and
nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement referred to above and the use of our name wherever it
appears in said Registration Statement.

This opinion is to be used only in connection with the issuance of the Shares
while the Registration Statement is in effect.

Respectfully submitted,


/s/ Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP
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GRAY CARY WARE & FREIDENRICH LLP