Edgar Filing: PIXELWORKS, INC

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Form S-3

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2010

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

PIXELWORKS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Oregon

91-1761992

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

224 Airport Parkway, Suite 400

San Jose, California 95110

(408) 200-9200

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Bruce A. Walicek

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pixelworks, Inc.

224 Airport Parkway, Suite 400

San Jose, California 95110

(408) 200-9200

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Michael L. Reed

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

555 Mission Street, Suite 3000

San Francisco, California 94105

(415) 398-8200

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement from the same offering. ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check One):

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Securities To Be Registered	Amount To Be Registered ⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share ⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price ⁽¹⁾	Amount Of Registration Fee ⁽²⁾
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share	$20,000,000	N/A	$20,000,000	$1,426
TOTAL	$20,000,000	N/A	$20,000,000	$1,426

⁽¹⁾	There are being registered under this Registration Statement an indeterminate number of shares of common stock of the Registrant with an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $20,000,000.

⁽²⁾	Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion; Dated November 22, 2010

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS

LOGO

$20,000,000

Common Stock

This prospectus relates to shares of Pixelworks, Inc. common stock which may be offered and sold from time to time. The aggregate initial offering price of all common stock sold under this prospectus will not exceed $20,000,000. The common stock of Pixelworks, Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “PXLW.”

Each time we sell shares of our common stock hereunder, we will attach a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the terms of the offering, including the price at which we are offering the shares to the public. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in shares of our common stock.

The shares of our common stock may be offered directly by us, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any of shares of our common stock, their names, and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the section entitled “About This Prospectus” for more information.

Investing in shares of our common stock involves risks. See the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus. You should carefully read and consider these risk factors before you invest in shares of our common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is .

TABLE OF CONTENTS


ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			1
RISK FACTORS			2
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			4
THE COMPANY			5
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			6
UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS			7
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			9
EXPERTS			10
LEGAL MATTERS			11
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE			11
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			12

The distribution of this prospectus may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. You should inform yourself about and observe any of these restrictions. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you.

This prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered shares of our common stock to which they relate.

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about us that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus, including in any of the materials that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus prepared or authorized by us. Therefore, if anyone does give you information of this sort, you should not rely on it as authorized by us. You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus is delivered or securities are sold on a later date. Neither the delivery of this prospectus, nor any sale made hereunder, shall under any circumstances create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date hereof or that the information incorporated by reference herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of such information.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell the shares of our common stock described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. The aggregate initial offering price of all the shares of our common stock sold under this prospectus will not exceed $20,000,000.

This prospectus provides certain general information about the shares of our common stock that we may offer hereunder. Each time we offer shares of our common stock hereunder, we will attach a prospectus supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain the specific information about the terms of the offering. In each prospectus supplement, we will include the following information:

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the number of shares of common stock that we propose to sell;

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the public offering price per share of the common stock;

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the names of any underwriters, agents or dealers through or to which the shares of the common stock will be sold;

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any compensation of those underwriters, agents or dealers;

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any additional risk factors applicable to the shares of our common stock or our business and operations; and

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any other material information about the offering and sale of the shares of common stock.

In addition, the prospectus supplement may also add, update or change the information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will supersede this prospectus to the extent it contains information that is different from, or that conflicts with, the information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. You should read and consider all information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement in making your investment decision. You should also read and consider the information contained in the documents identified under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference” and “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company,” “Pixelworks” and similar terms refer to Pixelworks, Inc., an Oregon corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in shares of our common stock involves risk. Before making any investment decision, you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below, under the caption “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, as well as in any applicable prospectus supplement, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

These risks could materially affect our business, results of operation or financial condition and affect the value of our common stock. You could lose all or part of your investment. For more information, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and the Offering

Future sales or other dilution of our equity could depress the market price of our common stock.

Sales of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur, could negatively impact the price of our common stock. We have a number of institutional shareholders that own significant blocks of our common stock. If one or more of these shareholders were to sell large portions of their holdings in a relatively short time, for liquidity or other reasons, the prevailing market price of our common stock could be negatively affected.

In addition, the issuance of additional shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus, or issuances of securities convertible into or exercisable for our common stock or other equity-linked securities, including preferred stock or warrants, will dilute the ownership interest of our common shareholders and could depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.

We may need to seek additional capital. If this additional financing is obtained through the issuance of equity securities, debt convertible into equity or options or warrants to acquire equity securities, our existing shareholders could experience significant dilution upon the issuance, conversion or exercise of such securities.

Our management will have broad discretion over the use of the proceeds we receive from the sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus and might not apply the proceeds in ways that increase the value of your investment.

Our management will have broad discretion to use the net proceeds from any offerings under this prospectus, and you will be relying on the judgment of our management regarding the application of these proceeds. Except as described in any prospectus supplement or in any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you, the net proceeds received by us from our sale of the common stock described in this prospectus will be added to our general funds and will be used for our general corporate purposes. Our management might not apply the net proceeds from the offering of our common stock in ways that increase the value of your investment and might not be able to yield a significant return, if any, on any investment of such net proceeds. You may not have the opportunity to influence our decisions on how to use such proceeds.

Anti-takeover provisions of Oregon law and in our articles of incorporation could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock by preventing a sale or takeover of us at a price or prices favorable to the holders of our common stock or a change in our board or management.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws and provisions of Oregon law may have the effect of delaying or preventing a merger or acquisition of us, making a merger or acquisition of us less desirable to a potential acquirer or preventing a change in our management, even if our shareholders consider the merger, acquisition or change in management favorable or if doing so would benefit our shareholders. In addition, these provisions could limit the price that investors would be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. The following are examples of such provisions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws:

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our board of directors is authorized, without prior shareholder approval, to change the size of the board (our articles of incorporation provide that if the board is increased to eight or more members, the board will be divided into three classes serving staggered terms, which would make it more difficult for a group of shareholders to quickly change the composition of our board);

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our board of directors may approve the issuance, without further action by the shareholders, of shares of our preferred stock, and to fix the rights and preferences thereof. An issuance of preferred stock with dividend and liquidation rights senior to our common stock or convertible into a large number of shares of our common stock could prevent a potential acquiror from gaining effective economic or voting control;

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members of our board of directors can be removed only for cause and at a meeting of shareholders called expressly for that purpose, by the vote of 75 percent of the votes then entitled to be cast for the election of directors;

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our board of directors may alter our bylaws without obtaining shareholder approval, and shareholders are required to provide advance notice for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters to be acted upon at a shareholder meeting; and

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a super-majority vote by 67% of our shareholders is required to approve mergers involving us.

See “Where You Can Find More Information” elsewhere in this prospectus for information on where you can obtain copies of our Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, which have been filed with and are publicly available from the SEC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act and may involve material risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “might,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” and similar words, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and which may cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision or update of these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. If we do update or correct one or more forward-looking statements, you should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.

A detailed discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from our forward-looking statements is included in our periodic reports filed with the SEC and in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. In addition, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those set forth or contemplated in the forward-looking statements: our ability to deliver new products in a timely fashion; our new product yield rates; changes in estimated product costs; product mix; supply of products from third-party foundries; failure or difficulty in achieving design wins; timely customer transition to new product designs; competitive factors, such as rival chip architectures, introduction or traction by competing designs, or pricing pressures; the success of our products in expanded markets; current global economic challenges; levels of inventory at distributors and customers; changes in the digital display and projection markets; changes in customer ordering patterns or lead times; seasonality in the consumer electronics market; our efforts to achieve profitability from operations; insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory and variations in inventory valuation; the outcome of any litigation related to our intellectual property rights; and our lower cash position as a result of our debt repurchases.

THE COMPANY

We are an innovative designer, developer and marketer of video and pixel processing semiconductors and software for high-end digital video applications and hold 130 patents related to the visual display of digital image data. Our solutions enable manufacturers of digital display and projection devices, such as large-screen flat panel displays and digital front projectors, to differentiate their products with a consistently high level of video quality, regardless of the content’s source or format. Our core technology leverages unique proprietary techniques for intelligently processing video signals from a variety of sources to ensure that all resulting images are optimized. Additionally, our products help our customers reduce costs and differentiate their display and projection devices, an important factor in industries that experience rapid innovation. Pixelworks was founded in 1997 and is incorporated under the laws of the state of Oregon.

Pixelworks’ flexible design architecture enables our technology to produce outstanding image quality in our customers’ products with a range of single-purpose integrated circuits (ICs), to system-on-chip (SOC) integrated circuits that integrate microprocessor, memory and image processing functions. Additionally, we provide full solutions, including a software development environment and operating system, which enable our customers to more quickly develop and customize their display products, thus reducing their time to market and allowing them to incorporate differentiated features and functions. Our primary target markets are liquid crystal display (LCD) large-screen televisions and digital front projectors.

We have adopted a product strategy that leverages our core competencies in video processing to address the evolving needs of the advanced flat panel display, digital projection and other markets that require superior image quality. We focus our product investments on developing video enhancement solutions for these markets, with particular focus on adding increased performance and functionality. Additionally, we look for ways to leverage our research and development investment into products that address other high-value markets where our innovative proprietary technology provides differentiation for us and our customers. We continually seek to expand our technology portfolio through internal development, co-development with business partners and evaluation of acquisition opportunities.

Our executive offices are located at 224 Airport Parkway, Suite 400, San Jose, California 95110, our telephone number is (408) 200-9200 and our website is www.pixelworks.com. Our website, and the information contained therein, is not a part of this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, repayment of debt, repurchases of common stock, capital expenditures, the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansions, increasing our working capital and the financing of ongoing operating expenses and overhead. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in marketable securities and short-term investments.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

Our authorized capital stock consists of 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001. The preferred stock is undesignated as to series, rights, preferences, privileges or restrictions.

Common Stock

We have one existing class of common stock. Holders of our voting common stock are entitled to one vote per share for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of common shareholders. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights.

The holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to participate ratably in dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividend payments. To date, we have never declared a dividend and our board of directors does not have any plans to do so in the future. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, after full payment of all debts and other liabilities and liquidation preferences of any other series of common stock and any preferred stock, the holders of shares of our existing common stock are entitled to share ratably in all remaining assets. Our common stock has no preemptive subscription or conversion rights.

All issued and outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. Any shares of common stock we offer under this prospectus will be fully paid and nonassessable.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “PXLW.”

StockTrans, Inc. is the Transfer Agent and Registrar for our common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors is authorized to issue from time to time, without further vote or action by the shareholders, up to an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to determine or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed on any wholly unissued series of preferred stock. One series of preferred stock has been designated by our board of directors. No shares of preferred stock are currently outstanding, however, and we currently have no plans to designate any series of preferred stock or issue any shares of preferred stock. However, we may elect to do so in the future.

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a super-majority vote by 67% of our shareholders is required to approve mergers involving us.

UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders (as defined below) relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock, as of the date hereof. This summary deals only with shares of our common stock that are held as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not discuss any state, local or foreign tax consequences and does not discuss all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to the purchase, ownership or disposition of our common stock by prospective investors in light of their particular circumstances. In particular, except to the extent discussed below, this summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to certain types of investors subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws, such as:

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persons who are not U.S. Holders, dealers in securities or currencies, brokers, financial institutions, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, retirement plans, U.S. expatriates, tax-exempt entities, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings or insurance companies;

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U.S. Holders of shares of our common stock whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;

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persons holding shares of our common stock as part of a hedging, integrated, constructive sale, or conversion transaction or a straddle;

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entities that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes; or

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persons liable for alternative minimum tax consequences.

The discussion below is based upon the provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the “Code,” applicable U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and rulings and judicial decisions as of the date hereof. Those authorities are subject to different interpretations and may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.

If a partnership holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding shares of our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor as to the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to you.

If you are considering the purchase of shares of our common stock, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you and any consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign or other taxing jurisdiction. Each prospective investor should seek advice based on its particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.

For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a share of our common stock that is:

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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

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a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

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an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

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a trust if (i) it is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (ii) it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Dividend Distributions

If we make a distribution in respect of our common stock, the distribution will be treated as a dividend to the extent it is paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If the distribution exceeds current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital reducing the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the common stock to the extent of the holder’s adjusted tax basis in that stock. Any remaining excess will be treated as capital gain.

If a U.S. Holder is an individual, dividends received by such holder on or prior to December 31, 2010 generally will be subject to a reduced maximum tax rate of 15% provided certain holding period requirements and other requirements are satisfied. Beginning January 1, 2011, the rate applicable to dividends is scheduled to return to the tax rate generally applicable to ordinary income. If a U.S. Holder is a U.S. corporation, it will be able to claim the deduction allowed to U.S. corporations in respect of dividends received from other U.S. corporations equal to a portion of any dividends received subject to generally applicable limitations on that deduction. In general, a dividend distribution to a corporate U.S. Holder may qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction if the U.S. Holder owns less than 20% of the voting power and value of our stock.

U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the holding period requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the dividends-received deduction and the reduced maximum tax rate on dividends.

Sale, Exchange, Redemption or Other Disposition of Stock

A U.S. Holder will generally recognize capital gain or loss on a sale or exchange of our common stock. The U.S. Holder’s gain or loss will equal the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the stock. The amount realized by the U.S. Holder will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the stock. Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale or exchange of stock will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holder held the stock for more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are currently taxed at lower rates than those applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Medicare Contributions Tax

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, newly enacted legislation requires certain U.S. holders who are individuals, estates or certain trusts to pay a 3.8% tax on the lesser of (i) the U.S. person’s “net investment income” for the relevant taxable year and (ii) the excess of the U.S. person’s modified gross income for the taxable year over a certain threshold (which in the case of individuals will be between $125,000 and $250,000 depending on the individual’s circumstances). Net investment income generally includes, among other things, dividend income and net gains from the disposition of the stock, unless such dividend income or net gains are derived in the ordinary course of the conduct of a trade or business (other than a trade or business that consists of certain passive or trading activities). A U.S. holder that is an individual, estate or trust should consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of the Medicare tax to its income and gains in respect of its investment in our common stock.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

We or our paying agent must report annually to U.S. Holders (other than corporations and other exempt holders) and the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, amounts paid to such holders on or with respect to our common stock during each calendar year and the amount of tax, if any, withheld from such payments. A U.S. Holder will be subject to backup withholding on dividends paid on our common stock and proceeds from the sale of our common stock at the applicable rate (which is currently 28%) if the U.S. Holder is not otherwise exempt and (i) the holder fails to provide us or our paying agent with a correct taxpayer identification number, (ii) the holder provides an incorrect taxpayer identification number, (iii) we or our praying agent are notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholdings as a result of the failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends or, (iv) the holder fails to certify under penalty of perjury that it has provided a correct taxpayer identification number and has not been notified by the IRS that it is subject to backup withholding. A U.S. Holder generally may establish that it is exempt from or otherwise not subject to backup withholding by providing a properly completed IRS Form W-9 to us or our paying agent. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will generally be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is properly furnished to the IRS on a timely basis.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The shares of our common stock that may be offered by this prospectus may be sold:

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through agents;

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to or through underwriters;

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to or through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);

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in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) of the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange, or otherwise;

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directly to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise; or

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through a combination of any such methods of sale.

Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the shares of our common stock. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us, from the purchasers of the shares of common stock or from both us and the purchasers. Any underwriters, dealers, agents or other investors participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters,” as that term is defined in the Securities Act, and compensation and profits received by them on sale of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be underwriting commissions, as that term is defined in the rules promulgated under the Securities Act.

Each time shares of our common stock are offered by this prospectus, the prospectus supplement, if required, will set forth:

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the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent involved in the offer and sale of the shares of common stock;

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the terms of the offering;

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any discounts concessions or commissions and other items constituting compensation received by the underwriters, broker-dealers or agents;

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any over-allotment option under which any underwriters may purchase additional shares of common stock from us;

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any initial public offering price;

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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

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the anticipated date of delivery of the shares of common stock.

The shares of our common stock may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The distribution of shares of common stock may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, by means of one or more of the following transactions, which may include cross or block trades:

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transactions on the NASDAQ Global Market or any other organized market where the common stock may be traded;

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in the over-the-counter market;

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in negotiated transactions;

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under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments; or

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a combination of such methods of sale.

If underwriters are used in a sale, shares of our common stock will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions. Our common stock may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of shares of our common stock, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. This prospectus and the prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the shares of our common stock.

In compliance with the guidelines of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or “FINRA,” the aggregate maximum discount, commission or agency fees or other items constituting underwriting compensation to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker-dealer will not exceed 8% of the offering proceeds from any offering pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

If 5% or more of the net proceeds of any offering of our common stock made under this prospectus will be received by a FINRA member participating in the offering or affiliates or associated persons of such FINRA member, the offering will be conducted in accordance with FINRA Rule 5121.

To comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus will be offered and sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. The prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their respective affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business. We will describe in the prospectus supplement naming the underwriter the nature of any such relationship.

Certain persons participating in the offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. We make no representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that such transactions may have on the price of the shares of common stock. For a description of these activities, see the information under the heading “Underwriting” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Pixelworks, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, have been incorporated by

reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the December 31, 2009 financial statements refers to a change to the method of accounting for uncertain tax positions effective January 1, 2007.

LEGAL MATTERS

Ater Wynne LLP of Portland, Oregon has issued an opinion with respect to the validity of the shares of our common stock to be offered by this prospectus. Certain legal matters will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. If counsel for any underwriters passes on legal matters in connection with an offering of the shares of common stock described in this prospectus, we will name that counsel in the prospectus supplement relating to that offering.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with them into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information about us and our financial condition to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC instead of having to repeat the information in this prospectus. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. This prospectus incorporates by reference any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, between the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement and the documents listed below that we have previously filed with the SEC:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009;

•

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2010;

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2010 and August 2, 2010;

•

the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 12, 2010 that were incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 indicated therein; and

•

the description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 10, 2000, and any other amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We also incorporate by reference all documents that we file with the SEC on or after the effective time of this prospectus pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and prior to the sale of all shares of common stock registered hereunder or the termination of the registration statement. Nothing in this prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished but not filed with the SEC.

Any statement contained in this prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in the applicable prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

You may request a copy of the filings incorporated herein by reference, including exhibits to such documents that are specifically incorporated by reference, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address or telephone number:

Steven Moore, Corporate Secretary

Pixelworks, Inc.

224 Airport Parkway, Suite 400

San Jose, CA 95110

(408) 200-9200

Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other documents are not necessarily complete, and in each instance you are referred to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by such reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC registering the shares of common stock that may be offered and sold hereunder. The registration statement, including exhibits thereto, contains additional relevant information about us and these shares of common stock that, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we have not included in this prospectus. A copy of the registration statement can be obtained at the address set forth below or at the SEC’s website as noted below. You should read the registration statement, including any applicable prospectus supplement, for further information about us and these shares of common stock.

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information about issuers, like Pixelworks, Inc., that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov. The website, and, except as expressly incorporated herein, the information contained therein, is not a part of this prospectus. You may also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth all expenses payable by us in connection with the offering of our common stock being registered hereby.


SEC Registration Fee	$	1,426
Printing Expenses	$	2,000	*
Legal Fees and Expenses	$	80,000	*
Accounting Fees and Expenses	$	15,000	*
Miscellaneous	$	2,000	*
Trustee and Transfer Agent Fees	$	0	*
Blue Sky Fees	$	0	*

Total	$	100,426

*	Does not include expense of preparing prospectus supplements and other expenses relating to offerings of common stock.

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

As an Oregon corporation the Company is subject to the Oregon Business Corporation Act (the “OBCA”) and the exculpation from liability and indemnification provisions contained therein. Pursuant to Section 60.047(2) of the OBCA, Article V of the Company’s Sixth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation eliminates the liability of the Company’s directors to the Company or its shareholders, except for any liability related to breach of the duty of loyalty, actions not in good faith and certain other liabilities.

Section 60.387 et seq. of the OBCA allows corporations to indemnify their directors and officers against liability where the director or officer has acted in good faith and with a reasonable belief that actions taken were in the best interests of the corporation or at least not adverse to the corporation’s best interests and, if in a criminal proceeding, the individual had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct in question was unlawful. Under the OBCA, corporations may not indemnify against liability in connection with a claim by or in the right of the corporation but may indemnify against the reasonable expenses associated with such claims. Corporations may not indemnify against breaches of the duty of loyalty. The OBCA mandates indemnifications against all reasonable expenses incurred in the successful defense of any claim made or threatened whether or not such claim was by or in the right of the corporation. Finally, a court may order indemnification if it determines that the director or officer is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification in view of all the relevant circumstances, whether or not the director or officer met the good faith and reasonable belief standards of conduct set forth in the statute.

The OCBA also provides that the statutory indemnification provisions are not deemed exclusive of any other rights to which directors or officers may be entitled under a corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, any agreement, general or specific action of the board of directors, vote of shareholders or otherwise.

Additionally, we have entered into indemnity agreements with certain of our officers and directors. The indemnity agreements require us to, among other things, indemnify the officer or director against all expenses incurred by such officer or director as a result of being named or threatened to be named as a party to any proceeding as a result of such officer or director’s service in such capacity, provided that such officer or director acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and in the case of a criminal proceeding, that such officer or director had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. The indemnity agreements also require us to indemnify the officer or director to the fullest extent permitted by law, provided that no indemnification will be provided if such officer or director’s conduct constitutes a breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or is an act or omission not in good faith or involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law.

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Item 16.

Exhibits and Financial Schedule

See the Exhibit Index attached to this registration statement and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.

Undertakings

(a)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)

That, for purposes of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

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(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5)

That, for purposes of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be sellers to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or their securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b)

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the undersigned registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c)

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions described in Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant, Pixelworks, Inc., certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3, and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Jose, State of California on November 22, 2010.


PIXELWORKS, INC.

By:		/s/ BRUCE A. WALICEK
		Bruce A. Walicek
		President and Chief Executive Officer

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below does hereby constitute and appoint Bruce A. Walicek and Steven L. Moore, and each of them, with full power of substitution and full power to act without the other, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to act for him or her in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any subsequent registration statement the Registrant may hereafter file with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act to register additional securities in connection with this registration statement, and to file this registration statement, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in order to effectuate the same as fully, to all intents and purposes, as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated below and on the dates indicated.



/s/ BRUCE A. WALICEK Bruce A. Walicek	President, Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), and Director	November 22, 2010

/s/ STEVEN L. MOORE Steven L. Moore	Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)	November 22, 2010

/s/ RICHARD L. SANQUINI Richard L. Sanquini	Chairman of the Board	November 22, 2010

/s/ MARK A. CHRISTENSEN Mark A. Christensen	Director	November 22, 2010

/s/ STEPHEN L. DOMENIK Stephen L. Domenik	Director	November 22, 2010

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/s/ JAMES R. FIEBIGER James R. Fiebiger	Director	November 22, 2010

/s/ C. SCOTT GIBSON C. Scott Gibson	Director	November 22, 2010

/s/ DANIEL J. HENEGHAN Daniel J. Heneghan	Director	November 22, 2010

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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number		Description

1.1**		Form of Underwriting Agreement

4.1		Sixth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Pixelworks, Inc., As Amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2004).

4.2		Third Amendment to Sixth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Pixelworks, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2008).

4.3		Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Pixelworks, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 10, 2010).

4.4		Form of Common Stock Certificate.

5.1		Opinion of Ater Wynne LLP.

23.1		Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2		Consent of Ater Wynne LLP (included in legal opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1).

24.1		Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages of this registration statement).

**	To be filed by amendment hereto or pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be incorporated herein by reference.

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Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company