As worldwide DVD player shipments started to decline in 2006, shipments of DVD recorders continued to rise steadily, reports In-Stat. Sales of DVD player units declined from 126.4 mln in 2005 to 124.8 mln in 2006, and DVD recorder sales rose from 14 mln in 2005 to 16 mln in 2006. Combined worldwide DVD player and recorder sales reached 141.2 mln units in 2006. Japan reached its peak for DVD player sales in 2003, while North American and European DVD player shipments peaked in 2005, and shipments will continue to decrease in those regions in 2007.