Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2012	Apr. 01, 2011	Mar. 30, 2012	Apr. 01, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 88,120	$ 82,061	$ 161,279	$ 168,448
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic	108,415	112,140	108,650	112,086
Potential common shares from options to purchase Class A and Class B common stock	521	1,015	445	1,206
Potential common shares from restricted stock units	234	191	147	243
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	109,170	113,346	109,242	113,535
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - basic	$ 0.81	$ 0.73	$ 1.48	$ 1.50
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - diluted	$ 0.81	$ 0.72	$ 1.48	$ 1.48
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculation	5,830	2,836	6,250	2,855
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculation	439	426	1,592	431