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. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012	Mar. 29, 2013	Mar. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Net Income Attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc.	$ 61,911	$ 88,120	$ 113,260	$ 161,279
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic	101,638	108,415	102,000	108,650
Potential common shares from options to purchase Class A and Class B common stock	286	521	235	445
Potential common shares from restricted stock units	756	234	745	147
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted	102,680	109,170	102,980	109,242
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - basic	$ 0.61	$ 0.81	$ 1.11	$ 1.48
Net income per share attributable to Dolby Laboratories, Inc. - diluted	$ 0.60	$ 0.81	$ 1.10	$ 1.48
Stock Options [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculation	5,156	5,830	5,245	6,250
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities, excluded from calculation	384	439	1,583	1,592