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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 UknaJ1weC5bC7PPKKs6qMNGlZ5Tt8CM9nGqWm/+yebEIDaZr7AapFWzKowlgCXxV
 9dSfeQNd0SVimMH9y+4BlQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001403889-08-000007.txt : 20080424
<SEC-HEADER>0001403889-08-000007.hdr.sgml : 20080424
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080424171632
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001403889-08-000007
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080422
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080424
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080424

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Hsu J Carl
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001403889

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20784
		FILM NUMBER:		08775216

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		860-774-9605

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		71 ROTARY DRIVE
		CITY:			SUMMIT
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07901

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000859475
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				770156584
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3408 GARRETT DRIVE
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95054-2803
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4087648808

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3408 GARRETT DRIVE
		CITY:			SANTA CLARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95054-2803
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-04-22</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000859475</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>TRIDENT MICROSYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>TRID</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001403889</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Hsu J Carl</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>ONE TECHNOLOGY DRIVE,</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>P.O. BOX 188</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROGERS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06263-0188</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Director Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.76</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-04-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-04-22</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The vesting commencement date is April 22, 2008. The option is exercisable at the rate of 1/3rd of the shares on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date, and the remaining portion of the option will vest with respect to 1/3rd in equal yearly installments thereafter.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David L. Teichmann, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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