# Storm Codec
**Wikidata**: [Q11090490](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11090490)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/storm-codec

## Summary
Storm Codec, also known as BaoFeng Player or StormPlayer, is a media player software developed by Baofeng Group Co., Ltd. First released in 2002, it supports multimedia playback on Microsoft Windows and iOS platforms. The software is notable for its ability to play various audio and video formats and was widely used in China during its active development period.

## Key Facts
- **Initial Release**: 2002.
- **Developer**: Baofeng Group Co., Ltd. (founded January 9, 2007).
- **Platforms**: Microsoft Windows (since inception) and iOS (via App Store ID 538248967).
- **Latest Stable Version**: 5.74.0205.2111 (released February 11, 2018).
- **Website**: http://www.baofeng.com/.
- **Identifiers**: Weibo ID "bfyy", Zhihu Topic ID 19553944, Google Knowledge Graph ID /g/155qtfsc.
- **ICP Registration**: 京ICP证070364号 and 京ICP备08011423号 (verified 2019).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Storm Codec used for?
A: Storm Codec is a media player designed to playback audio and video files across multiple formats, primarily on Windows and iOS devices.

### Q: Is Storm Codec still updated?
A: The latest documented stable version (5.74.0205.2111) was released in 2018, with no public updates confirmed beyond this date.

### Q: Where can I download Storm Codec?
A: The official website is http://www.baofeng.com/, though availability may vary due to regional restrictions or discontinued support.

## Why It Matters
Storm Codec played a significant role in the early 2000s as a versatile media player in China, addressing the need for software capable of handling diverse multimedia formats. Its cross-platform compatibility (Windows and iOS) and integration with local services helped establish it as a popular choice among Chinese users. The software’s development history, spanning over 15 years, reflects its adaptability to evolving media formats and operating systems. While its prominence has diminished with the rise of streaming services, Storm Codec remains a notable example of early multimedia software tailored to regional user needs.

## Notable For
- **Aliases**: Known by multiple names including BaoFeng Player, StormPlayer, and 周胜军 (Zhou Shengjun).
- **Format Support**: Specialized in playback of region-specific and less common multimedia formats.
- **Cross-Platform Release**: One of the few Chinese-developed media players to officially support both Windows and iOS.
- **Long Development Cycle**: Maintained active updates from 2002 to at least 2018, with version histories archived publicly.

## Body
### Development History
- **Initial Release**: Launched in 2002 as a Windows-exclusive media player.
- **iOS Expansion**: Later ported to iOS (App Store ID 538248967), though exact release dates for iOS versions are not specified in the source material.
- **Version Milestones**:
  - **5.57.0202.2111**: Released March 3, 2016.
  - **5.74.0205.1111**: Released July 14, 2017, and February 5, 2018.
  - **5.74.0205.2111**: Final documented stable version (February 11, 2018), compatible with Windows 7 and later.

### Technical Specifications
- **Operating Systems**: Optimized for Microsoft Windows (including Windows 7) and iOS.
- **Format Compatibility**: Supported a wide range of audio/video codecs, though specific formats are not enumerated in the provided data.
- **Distribution**: Distributed via Baofeng Group’s official website and the iOS App Store.

### Distribution and Legacy
- **ICP Certifications**: Held Chinese ICP licenses (京ICP证070364号 and 京ICP备08011423号), indicating compliance with national internet content regulations.
- **Archival**: Version history was archived on the official website (http://home.baofeng.com/history.html) as of March 2018.
- **Cultural Impact**: Gained popularity in China during the mid-2000s as a go-to player for locally popular multimedia formats, though its usage declined with the proliferation of streaming platforms.

## References

1. [Source](http://web.archive.org/web/20170803150442/http://home.baofeng.com/history.html)
2. [Source](http://home.baofeng.com/licence/icp.html)
3. [Source](http://www.miibeian.gov.cn/)