The invention discloses a video output device capable of tracking propagating sources, comprising a central processing unit, a network interface module, a memory module, a man-machine interaction module and an audio/video drive module which are respectively connected with the central processing unit, wherein, the central processing unit is provided with a watermark generation unit and a superposition output unit; the watermark generation unit is used for generating watermark data information; and the superposition output unit is used for outputting the watermark data information and video information generated by the watermark generation unit. The video output device capable of tracking the propagating sources of the invention is provided with the watermark generation unit and the superposition output unit, leads that the video information output by the video output device can display or hidden with watermark information when a display terminal plays a video, and extracts watermark information in visual contact or a watermark detection device according to hardware information and user information in the watermark information, thereby positioning the propagating sources thereof, tracking related responsibilities thereof, and maintaining the lawful rights and interests of operators and content providers.