DataTable with dropdown Column

Another way would be to use the render method:

        "render": function(d,t,r){
            var $select = $("<select></select>", {
                "id": r[0]+"start",
                "value": d
            });
            $.each(times, function(k,v){
                var $option = $("<option></option>", {
                    "text": v,
                    "value": v
                });
                if(d === v){
                    $option.attr("selected", "selected")
                }
                $select.append($option);
            });
            return $select.prop("outerHTML");
        }

Working example.