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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QxsCKbjyj695Z26akQno5WwJyFR7bJjJDwmdP6bgACuwS0WE/0aAYNQ3gV6SrWll
 ZjhK44wRVJPZDtotpHMW6A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000901719-04-000026.txt : 20041227
<SEC-HEADER>0000901719-04-000026.hdr.sgml : 20041224
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041227194916
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000901719-04-000026
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041018
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041227
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041227

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000884719
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3576]
		IRS NUMBER:				043144936
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1370 DELL AVE
		CITY:			CAMPBELL
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95008
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4088668300

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Parish David
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001292183

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11860
		FILM NUMBER:		041227298

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		763-571-7588

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		5155 EAST RIVER RD.
		STREET 2:		SUITE 401
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55421
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-10-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000884719</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FOCUS ENHANCEMENTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>fcse</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001292183</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Parish David</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5155 EAST RIVER RD.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 401</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MINNEAPOLIS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55421</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Mger, Bus Developt-fmr Exec VP</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-10-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>97697</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>160695</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares distributed by liquidating trust to Mr. Parish for shares of Visual Circuits Corporation (VCC) in connection with Focus' acquisition of substantially all of the assets of VCC on May 28, 2004 and pursuant to related agreements.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>David Parish by Gary Williams, Attorney in Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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