Start up method for a television apparatus

A method for use in a television/set-top box ( 1 ) for showing video/audio to a viewer prior to the completion of a high level system software boot process ( 2 ). The method includes the acts of monitoring said television/set-top box device ( 1 ) to detect when the television/set-top box ( 1 ) is activated by a user; retrieving meta-data from a storage ( 20 ) of the television/set-top box device ( 1 ) when the television/set-top box ( 1 ) is activated; and using the meta-data to display one or more elementary video/audio streams to the user at a point in time prior to the completion of said high level software boot up process ( 2 ). In this manner, a viewer is provided with audio/video substantially from the point of "power on" (soon after an internal driver boot process is complete) rather than having to endure the longer time interval, waiting for the high level system software to become operational. Thus, by displaying video/audio to the viewer soon after the internal driver boot process is complete, the inconvenience and frustration of a viewer having to endure the longer time interval of waiting for the high level system software to become operational without audio/video is overcome.