diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.search.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.search.yaml
index 3f8e653ee9..c672460d5d 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.search.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.search.yaml
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ services:
       - live-video-network
 
   vss-ui:
-    image: ${REGISTRY:-}vss-ui:${TAG:-latest}
+    image: ${REGISTRY:-}vss-ui:${VSS_STACK_TAG:-${TAG:-latest}}
     ipc: host
     ports:
       - "${UI_HOST_PORT}:8080"
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ services:
       - live-video-network
 
   pipeline-manager:
-    image: ${REGISTRY:-}pipeline-manager:${TAG:-latest}
+    image: ${REGISTRY:-}pipeline-manager:${VSS_STACK_TAG:-${TAG:-latest}}
     ports:
       - "${PM_HOST_PORT}:3000"
     ipc: host
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ services:
       - live-video-network
 
   video-search:
-    image: ${REGISTRY:-}video-search:${TAG:-latest}
+    image: ${REGISTRY:-}video-search:${VSS_STACK_TAG:-${TAG:-latest}}
     # user root to make it equivalent permission to frigate to w/r shared volume
     user: "0:0"
     depends_on:
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ services:
       - live-video-network
 
   vdms-dataprep:
-    image: ${REGISTRY:-}vdms-dataprep:${TAG:-latest}
+    image: ${REGISTRY:-}vdms-dataprep:${VSS_STACK_TAG:-${TAG:-latest}}
     hostname: vdms-dataprep
     environment:
       no_proxy: ${no_proxy},${VDMS_VDB_HOST},${MULTIMODAL_EMBEDDING_HOST},${MINIO_HOST},localhost
@@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ services:
       - live-video-network
 
   multimodal-embedding-serving:
-    image: ${REGISTRY:-}multimodal-embedding-serving:${TAG:-latest}
+    image: ${REGISTRY:-}multimodal-embedding-serving:${VSS_STACK_TAG:-${TAG:-latest}}
     container_name: multimodal-embedding-serving
     ports:
       - "${EMBEDDING_SERVER_PORT:-9777}:8000"
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.smart-nvr.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.smart-nvr.yaml
index f5aa84e165..7640ea7382 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.smart-nvr.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.smart-nvr.yaml
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ services:
 
   nvr-event-router:
     container_name: nvr-event-router
-    image: ${REGISTRY}nvr-event-router:${TAG}
+    image: ${REGISTRY}nvr-event-router:${SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG:-${TAG:-latest}}
     restart: unless-stopped
     networks:
       - live-video-network
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.telemetry.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.telemetry.yaml
index fa67dda685..5cf5196eec 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.telemetry.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docker/compose.telemetry.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 services:
   vss-collector:
-    image: docker.io/intel/vippet-collector:2025.2.0
+    image: docker.io/intel/vippet-collector:2026.0.0-20260217-weekly
     container_name: vss-collector
     ports:
       - '9273:9273'
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docs/user-guide/get-started.md b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docs/user-guide/get-started.md
index 381d2dc631..75c8d14b4c 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docs/user-guide/get-started.md
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/docs/user-guide/get-started.md
@@ -37,9 +37,33 @@ Before running the application, you need to set several environment variables:
 
     ```bash
     export REGISTRY_URL=intel
-    export TAG=1.3.2-rc1
+    export TAG=1.0.0-rc1
     ```
 
+    In most cases, `TAG=latest` works out of the box. Set a specific tag only when you need to pin to a particular release/version.
+
+    **Override tags per stack (recommended for mixed release cycles):**
+
+    Live Video Search combines two stacks that can be released on different cadences:
+    - **VSS Search stack** (`compose.search.yaml`)
+    - **Smart NVR stack** (`compose.smart-nvr.yaml`)
+
+    Use stack-specific tag overrides when you need different image versions for each stack:
+
+     ```bash
+     export TAG=1.0.0-rc1
+     export VSS_STACK_TAG=1.3.2-rc1
+     export SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG=1.2.4-rc1
+     ```
+
+    Why this is needed: a single shared `TAG` forces both stacks to use the same version, which does not match independent VSS and Smart NVR release cycles.
+
+    Note: `setup.sh` includes a release mapping for `TAG=1.0.0-rc1` and automatically sets:
+    - `VSS_STACK_TAG=1.3.2-rc1`
+    - `SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG=1.2.4-rc1`
+
+    You can still explicitly export `VSS_STACK_TAG` and `SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG` to override those defaults.
+
 2. **Set required credentials for some services**:
    Following variables **MUST** be set on your current shell before running the setup script:
 
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/setup.sh b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/setup.sh
index babf7b6507..80d8dc299d 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/setup.sh
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/live-video-analysis/live-video-search/setup.sh
@@ -105,6 +105,20 @@ export APP_HOST_PORT=${APP_HOST_PORT:-12345}
 export HOST_IP=$(get_host_ip)
 export TAG=${TAG:-latest}
 
+# Stack-specific image tags (override-able via env vars)
+export VSS_STACK_TAG=${VSS_STACK_TAG:-$TAG}
+export SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG=${SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG:-$TAG}
+
+# Release-specific tag mapping for Live Video Search 1.0.0-rc1
+if [ "$TAG" = "1.0.0-rc1" ]; then
+    if [ -z "$VSS_STACK_TAG" ] || [ "$VSS_STACK_TAG" = "$TAG" ]; then
+        export VSS_STACK_TAG="1.3.2-rc1"
+    fi
+    if [ -z "$SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG" ] || [ "$SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG" = "$TAG" ]; then
+        export SMART_NVR_STACK_TAG="1.2.4-rc1"
+    fi
+fi
+
 [[ -n "$REGISTRY_URL" ]] && REGISTRY_URL="${REGISTRY_URL%/}/"
 [[ -n "$PROJECT_NAME" ]] && PROJECT_NAME="${PROJECT_NAME%/}/"
 export REGISTRY="${REGISTRY_URL}${PROJECT_NAME}"
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/Chart.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/Chart.yaml
index a732bfffac..087d4b0c5c 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/Chart.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,20 +1,20 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: smart-nvr
 description: A Helm chart for Smart NVR 
-version: 1.2.3
+version: 1.2.4-rc1
 dependencies:
   - name: frigate
-    version: 1.2.3
+    version: 1.2.4-rc1
     repository: "file://subchart/frigate"
   - name: nvr-event-router
-    version: 1.2.3
+    version: 1.2.4-rc1
     repository: "file://subchart/nvr-event-router"
   - name: nvr-event-router-ui
-    version: 1.2.3
+    version: 1.2.4-rc1
     repository: "file://subchart/nvr-event-router-ui"
   - name: mqtt-broker
-    version: 1.2.3
+    version: 1.2.4-rc1
     repository: "file://subchart/mqtt-broker"
   - name: redis
-    version: 1.2.3
+    version: 1.2.4-rc1
     repository: "file://subchart/redis"
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/frigate/Chart.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/frigate/Chart.yaml
index a9285ffa8c..ae7c68cc25 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/frigate/Chart.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/frigate/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: frigate
 description: Frigate NVR component
-version: 1.2.3
\ No newline at end of file
+version: 1.2.4-rc1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/Chart.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/Chart.yaml
index d66f3f36d0..3fbe884889 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/Chart.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: mqtt-broker
 description: MQTT Broker service
-version: 1.2.3
\ No newline at end of file
+version: 1.2.4-rc1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/templates/deployment.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/templates/deployment.yaml
index 80327b10ca..dc170a9c81 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/templates/deployment.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/mqtt-broker/templates/deployment.yaml
@@ -90,8 +90,11 @@ spec:
             - sh
             - -c
             - |
-              touch {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} && \
-              mosquitto_passwd -c -b {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} $${MQTT_USER} $${MQTT_PASSWORD} && \
+              if [ ! -f {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} ]; then
+                mosquitto_passwd -c -b {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} $${MQTT_USER} $${MQTT_PASSWORD}
+              else
+                mosquitto_passwd -b {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} $${MQTT_USER} $${MQTT_PASSWORD}
+              fi && \
               chmod 0700 {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} && \
               chown {{ $runUser }}:{{ $runGroup }} {{ .Values.auth.passwordFilePath }} && \
               mosquitto -c /mosquitto/config/mosquitto.conf
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/Chart.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/Chart.yaml
index 4289190416..40bf2d76a9 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/Chart.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: nvr-event-router-ui
 description: NVR Event Router UI
-version: 1.2.3
\ No newline at end of file
+version: 1.2.4-rc1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/values.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/values.yaml
index cfb81aa11b..4fe06654cb 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/values.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router-ui/values.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 image:
   repository: intel/nvr-event-router
-  tag: 1.2.3
+  tag: 1.2.4-rc1
 
 replicaCount: 1
 
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/Chart.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/Chart.yaml
index 9c8514f043..8da04bd633 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/Chart.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: nvr-event-router
 description: NVR Event Router service
-version: 1.2.3
\ No newline at end of file
+version: 1.2.4-rc1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/values.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/values.yaml
index ccd4dbdb6a..88347eae84 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/values.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/nvr-event-router/values.yaml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 image:
   repository: intel/nvr-event-router
-  tag: 1.2.3
+  tag: 1.2.4-rc1
 
 replicaCount: 1
 
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/redis/Chart.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/redis/Chart.yaml
index 85aa625ef8..7b8982ba56 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/redis/Chart.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/subchart/redis/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 apiVersion: v2
 name: redis
 description: Redis cache
-version: 1.2.3
\ No newline at end of file
+version: 1.2.4-rc1
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/values.yaml b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/values.yaml
index aa3703b61a..b44eefe8c6 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/values.yaml
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/charts/values.yaml
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ frigate:
 nvr-event-router:
   image:
     repository: intel/nvr-event-router
-    tag: 1.2.3
+    tag: 1.2.4-rc1
 
   replicaCount: 1
 
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ nvr-event-router:
 nvr-event-router-ui:
   image:
     repository: intel/nvr-event-router
-    tag: 1.2.3
+    tag: 1.2.4-rc1
   env:
     MODE: "ui"
     API_BASE_URL: "http://nvr-event-router:8000"
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started.md b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started.md
index 07c208ac7e..26c2c309bc 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started.md
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started.md
@@ -17,12 +17,12 @@ from your video data.
 Smart NVR operates in a distributed architecture requiring multiple services across 3-4
 devices for optimal performance:
 
-| Device | Service | Purpose |
-|--------|---------|---------|
-| Device 1 | VSS Search | Video search functionality |
-| Device 2 | VSS Summary | Video summarization |
-| Device 3 | VLM Microservice | AI-powered event descriptions (optional) |
-| Device 3/4 | Smart NVR App | Main application interface |
+| Device     | Service          | Purpose                                  |
+| ---------- | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
+| Device 1   | VSS Search       | Video search functionality               |
+| Device 2   | VSS Summary      | Video summarization                      |
+| Device 3   | VLM Microservice | AI-powered event descriptions (optional) |
+| Device 3/4 | Smart NVR App    | Main application interface               |
 
 ### Software Dependencies
 
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ Set up the required environment variables:
 ```bash
 # Docker Registry Details
 export REGISTRY_URL="intel"
-export TAG="1.2.3"
+export TAG="1.2.4-rc1"
 
 # VSS Service Endpoints
 export http_proxy=<http-proxy>
@@ -144,8 +144,8 @@ Re-run the application after [configuring](#step-2-configure-environment) the re
 > - This feature is experimental and may be unstable due to underlying Frigate GenAI implementation.
 > - Requires VLM microservice to be running.
 > - Disabled by default for system stability.
-> - SmartNVR uses either Frigate or Scenescape for GenAI capabilities.
->   GenAI in both cannot be enabled at the same time. If Scenescape is enabled,
+> - SmartNVR uses either Frigate or Intel® SceneScape for GenAI capabilities.
+>   GenAI in both cannot be enabled at the same time. If Intel® SceneScape is enabled,
 >   its capabilities are prioritized over Frigate, with Frigate used in "dumb" mode.
 > - If NVR_SCENESCAPE=true. then NVR_GENAI must be set to false. Otherwise, an error is thrown.
 
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started/deploy-with-helm.md b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started/deploy-with-helm.md
index 144c5ab8fb..124325442a 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started/deploy-with-helm.md
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/get-started/deploy-with-helm.md
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ There are two options to get the charts in your workspace:
 Use the following command to pull the Helm chart from Docker Hub:
 
 ```bash
-helm pull oci://registry-1.docker.io/intel/smart-nvr --version 1.2.3
+helm pull oci://registry-1.docker.io/intel/smart-nvr --version 1.2.4-rc1
 ```
 
 Refer to the [release notes](../release-notes.md) for details on the latest version number to
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ use for the sample application.
 After pulling the chart, extract the `.tgz` file:
 
 ```bash
-tar -xvf smart-nvr-1.2.3.tgz
+tar -xvf smart-nvr-1.2.4-rc1.tgz
 ```
 
 This will create a directory named `smart-nvr` containing the chart files. Navigate to the
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/release-notes.md b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/release-notes.md
index 5af9c95775..49d249b3d6 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/release-notes.md
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/release-notes.md
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 # Release Notes
 
+- [Version 1.2.4-rc1](#version-124-rc1)
 - [Version 1.2.3](#version-123)
 - [Version 1.2.2](#version-122)
 - [Version 1.2.1](#version-121)
@@ -8,13 +9,15 @@
 
 ## Current Release
 
-### Version 1.2.3
+### Version 1.2.4-rc1
 
-**Release Date**: 24 November 2025
+**Release Date**: 17 Feb 2026  
 
 **New Features**:
 
-- Minor Fixes
+- Dependabot fixes for security vulnerabilities in dependencies.
+- Documentation updates for clarity and accuracy.
+- Minor bug fixes.
 
 **Known Issues**:
 
@@ -25,6 +28,14 @@
 
 ## Previous Releases
 
+### Version 1.2.3
+
+**Release Date**: 24 November 2025
+
+**New Features**:
+
+- Minor Fixes
+
 ### Version 1.2.2
 
 **Release Date**: 14 November 2025
diff --git a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/scenescape-integration.md b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/scenescape-integration.md
index 574a248ffa..42ee0ddc87 100644
--- a/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/scenescape-integration.md
+++ b/metro-ai-suite/smart-nvr/docs/user-guide/scenescape-integration.md
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ docker logs nvr-event-router -f
 
 ![SceneScape Enabled Interface](./_assets/Scenescape_enabled.png)
 
-When Intel® SceneScape is enabled (`NVR_SCENESCAPE=true`) and scenescape source is selected:
+When Intel® SceneScape is enabled (`NVR_SCENESCAPE=true`) and **"scenescape"** source is selected:
 
 - Source dropdown shows both **"frigate"** and **"scenescape"** options
 - **Count** field becomes visible and editable