A video output device includes an OSD generation means for generating OSD (On Screen Display) for controlling the device itself, a detection means for detecting a connected state in which the device is connected to a prescribed external display device in a state realizing a mutual device control function which can perform control between devices mutually and a forced output means for outputting the OSD generated by the OSD generation means to the external display device forcibly and displaying the OSD on a display portion of the external display device regardless of any setting of the device when detecting the connected state by the detection means.