Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. Organization and summary of significant accounting policies Organization and nature of operations: Sigma Designs, Inc. (referred to collectively in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as “Sigma,” “we,” “our”, “the Company” and “us”) is a provider of intelligent media platforms for use in the home entertainment and control markets. Our goal is to ensure integrated semiconductor solutions serve as the foundation for some of the world’s leading consumer products, including televisions, set-top boxes, media connectivity and home control products. A majority of our primary products are semiconductors that are targeted toward end-product manufacturers, Original Equipment Manufacturers, or OEMs, and Original Design Manufacturers, or ODMs. We sell our products into four primary target markets which are the Smart TV, Set-top Box, Media Connectivity and Internet of Things (“IoT”) Devices markets. We derive a portion of our revenue from other products and services, including technology licenses, software development kits, engineering support services for hardware and software, engineering development for customization of chipsets and other accessories. Basis of presentation: The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sigma Designs, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. We operate and report quarterly financial results that consist of 13 weeks and end on the last Saturday of the period. The third quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 ended on October 31, 2015 (91 days) and November 1, 2014 (91 days), respectively. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They do not include all disclosures required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 31, 2015, included in our fiscal 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2015, referred to as our fiscal 2015 Annual Report. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position at October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015, the consolidated results of our operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for future quarters or the full year. There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended October 31, 2015, as compared to the critical accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2015. For a complete summary of our significant accounting policies, refer to Note 1, "Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, in Part II, Item 8 of our fiscal 2015 Annual Report. Recent accounting pronouncements Recent accounting pronouncements expected to impact our operations that are not yet effective are summarized as follows: In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”), which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by eliminating the need for entities to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018 with early application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We are currently evaluating the timing of its application. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”), which changes guidance for subsequent measurement of inventory within the scope of the Update from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”), to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2016 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. The original effective date for ASU 2014-09 would have required us to adopt this standard beginning in our first quarter of 2018. In July 2015, the FASB voted to amend ASU 2014-09 by approving a one-year deferral of the effective date as well as providing the option to early adopt the standard on the original effective date. Accordingly, we may adopt the standard in either our first quarter of 2018 or 2019. The new revenue standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the timing of its adoption and the impact of adopting the new revenue standard on our consolidated financial statements.

1. Organization and summary of significant accounting policies

Organization and nature of operations:

Sigma Designs, Inc. (referred to collectively in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as “Sigma,” “we,” “our”, “the Company” and “us”) is a provider of intelligent media platforms for use in the home entertainment and control markets. Our goal is to ensure integrated semiconductor solutions serve as the foundation for some of the world’s leading consumer products, including televisions, set-top boxes, media connectivity and home control products. A majority of our primary products are semiconductors that are targeted toward end-product manufacturers, Original Equipment Manufacturers, or OEMs, and Original Design Manufacturers, or ODMs. We sell our products into four primary target markets which are the Smart TV, Set-top Box, Media Connectivity and Internet of Things (“IoT”) Devices markets. We derive a portion of our revenue from other products and services, including technology licenses, software development kits, engineering support services for hardware and software, engineering development for customization of chipsets and other accessories.

Basis of presentation:

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sigma Designs, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. We operate and report quarterly financial results that consist of 13 weeks and end on the last Saturday of the period. The third quarter of fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 ended on October 31, 2015 (91 days) and November 1, 2014 (91 days), respectively.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They do not include all disclosures required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 31, 2015, included in our fiscal 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC on April 15, 2015, referred to as our fiscal 2015 Annual Report.

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they contain all normal recurring accruals and adjustments that, in our opinion, are necessary to present fairly our consolidated financial position at October 31, 2015 and January 31, 2015, the consolidated results of our operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014, and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 and November 1, 2014. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for future quarters or the full year.

There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended October 31, 2015, as compared to the critical accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2015. For a complete summary of our significant accounting policies, refer to Note 1, "Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies”, in Part II, Item 8 of our fiscal 2015 Annual Report.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements expected to impact our operations that are not yet effective are summarized as follows:

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17,

Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes

(“ASU 2015-17”), which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes by eliminating the need for entities to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018 with early application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We are currently evaluating the timing of its application. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11,

Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory

(“ASU 2015-11”), which changes guidance for subsequent measurement of inventory within the scope of the Update from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15,

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

(“ASU 2014-15”), to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2016 with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09,

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

(Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. The original effective date for ASU 2014-09 would have required us to adopt this standard beginning in our first quarter of 2018. In July 2015, the FASB voted to amend ASU 2014-09 by approving a one-year deferral of the effective date as well as providing the option to early adopt the standard on the original effective date. Accordingly, we may adopt the standard in either our first quarter of 2018 or 2019. The new revenue standard may be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the timing of its adoption and the impact of adopting the new revenue standard on our consolidated financial statements.