ffmpeg – pydub – setting the start time of an audio file?

I have an audio file, which I create using pydub, and when I use ffmpeg to play I notice it has a start time defined:

Input #0, mpeg, from 'audio_117.ts':
Duration: 00:00:09.91, start: 0.500000, bitrate: 66 kb/s

I am trying to play the same audio file but with different formats. And I notice the start time is different with each format.:

mp3:

Input #0, mp3, from 'audio_117.mp3':
  Metadata:
    encoder         : Lavf61.7.100
  Duration: 00:00:10.03, start: 0.023021, bitrate: 64 kb/s

ogg:

Input #0, ogg, from 'audio_117.ogg':
  Duration: 00:00:10.00, start: 0.000000, bitrate: 63 kb/s

Do I have any control over this attribute? What does it mean exactly?
I just notice that if I create an HLS playlist from such file, it skips the beginning, and I wonder if it is related to the start time attribute.