A method and apparatus for effectively performing optimal connection configuration by recognizing the connection status between a video device and external peripheral devices. The method for identifying predetermined peripheral devices connected to a video device over serial communication control lines, includes, transmitting a command to establish connection of a current peripheral device having no given device ID to its upper peripheral device among the predetermined peripheral devices, and transmitting a command to disconnect a connection to its lower peripheral device; requesting unique device identification information to the predetermined peripheral devices; receiving a response to the request from the current peripheral device; and giving a device ID to the current peripheral device.