VHS Hi-Fi is stereo, 20-20.000Zz, 70dB S/N; it's as good as analog tracks on laserdisc, and it will be better than a heavy compressed AC3 soundtrack IMHO; at the contrary, VHS not Hi-Fi has a mono track, 100-10.000Hz, 42dB S/N, so it should be used only as the last resource...

Actually, I used VHS Hi-Fi stereo tracks for two projects, and the sound is very good indeed - not good as PCM CD/laserdisc soundtrack, but at least the original source is not compressed; the only problems are due to cracks and pops that could happen caused by the tape wear; if the VHS tape is unopened, not too old, and stored correctely it *could* happen that the audio is perfect, but it's not guaranteed... mine were bought brand new in 1995, played three or four times, then stored properly, but occasional crackle were unavoidable...

...where laserdisc tracks will not wear, and - when not affected by laser rot - will play as well after 30 years as when brand new!