Edit in JSFiddle

<a href='#' id='start_video1' class='custom_start_view'>Click here to start the video</a>
<video id='video1' data-autoplay='true' poster='http://media.sublimevideo.net/vpa/ms_800.jpg' width='432' height='243' preload='none' style='display:none;'>
  <source src='http://media.sublimevideo.net/vpa/ms_360p.mp4' />
  <source src='http://media.sublimevideo.net/vpa/ms_720p.mp4' data-quality='hd' />
  <source src='http://media.sublimevideo.net/vpa/ms_360p.webm' />
  <source src='http://media.sublimevideo.net/vpa/ms_720p.webm' data-quality='hd' />
</video>

<!-- Please note the autoplay setting in the <video> element above -->

// custom start view
sublime.ready(function() {
    var startView = $("a.custom_start_view");
    
    startView.click(function(event) {
        event.preventDefault();
    
        var playerId = startView.attr("id").replace(/^start_/, "");

        // Prepare the player.
        // Video playback will start automatically once the
        // player is prepared (because of the autoplay setting
        // on the <video> element).
        sublime.prepare(playerId, function(player) {
          startView.hide(); // Optionally hide the custom start view
        });
    });
});