use video as background for div

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Pure CSS method

It is possible to center a video inside an element just like a cover sized background-image without JS using the object-fit attribute or CSS Transforms.

2021 answer: object-fit

As pointed in the comments, it is possible to achieve the same result without CSS transform, but using object-fit, which I think it’s an even better option for the same result:

.video-container {
    height: 300px;
    width: 300px;
    position: relative;
}

.video-container video {
  width: 100%;
  height: 100%;
  position: absolute;
  object-fit: cover;
  z-index: 0;
}

/* Just styling the content of the div, the *magic* in the previous rules */
.video-container .caption {
  z-index: 1;
  position: relative;
  text-align: center;
  color: #dc0000;
  padding: 10px;
}
<div class="video-container">
    <video autoplay muted loop>
        <source src="https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/gtv-videos-bucket/sample/BigBuckBunny.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
    </video>
    <div class="caption">
      <h2>Your caption here</h2>
    </div>
</div>

Previous answer: CSS Transform

You can set a video as a background to any HTML element easily thanks to transform CSS property.

Note that you can use the transform technique to center vertically and horizontally any HTML element.

.video-container {
  height: 300px;
  width: 300px;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: relative;
}

.video-container video {
  min-width: 100%;
  min-height: 100%;
  position: absolute;
  top: 50%;
  left: 50%;
  transform: translateX(-50%) translateY(-50%);
}

/* Just styling the content of the div, the *magic* in the previous rules */
.video-container .caption {
  z-index: 1;
  position: relative;
  text-align: center;
  color: #dc0000;
  padding: 10px;
}
<div class="video-container">
  <video autoplay muted loop>
    <source src="https://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/gtv-videos-bucket/sample/BigBuckBunny.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
  </video>
  <div class="caption">
    <h2>Your caption here</h2>
  </div>
</div>

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