Dunno if anyone else experiences this,
when I boot my Linux 2.6.10 box,
the bttv driver hangs for a few minutes whilst trying to detect the tv tuner os something, afterwards everything else is normal.
You might want to check your settings in modprobe.conf
you'll find detailed info in your kernel source under bttv if I remember right.
Adjust your setting according to your video device. It would help if we had some more information as to the distribution your using.
Cordel