Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using a single multi-element detector and multi-channel signal conditioning circuitry to simultaneously read multiple tracks from either a CD disk or a DVD disk. The multi-element detector has a staggered arrangement and includes elongated detector elements, so that multiple reading beams reflected from multiple tracks of a CD disk are projected onto the detector, as are multiple reading beams reflected from multiple tracks of a DVD disk. The multi-channel signal conditioning circuitry conditions the signals produced by the multi-element detector, and produces signals for each of the tracks that is simultaneously read, as well as a tracking error signal, a focus error signal, a magnification error signal, and signals useful for reading DVD-RAM disks and for rapidly accessing tracks on an optical disk.