The invention relates to a front monitor apparatus, an
optical pickup device with the front monitor apparatus, and an information
record reproducing device. The invention provides a front monitor apparatus (6) which monitors a
laser beam emitted from a
semiconductor laser element (2) provided in the
optical pickup apparatus (1), the apparatus includes first and second photodiodes (PD1, PD2) each having different light receiving sensitivity, for receiving the
laser beam and outputting a current corresponding to a light receiving intensity; and a current-
voltage conversion circuit (11) for differentiating
voltage conversion levels for converting a current to a
voltage, in association with the respective light receiving elements so that a voltage to be converted when a predetermined current is supplied from a second
photodiode (PD2) having low light receiving sensitivity exceeds a voltage to be converted when the predetermined current is supplied from a first
photodiode (PD1) having high light receiving sensitivity, and outputting a voltage which is obtained by conversion of a current from the respective light receiving elements.