I know now that most VHS commercial releases had Hi-Fi and linear tracks both in stereo... but, when I listen to Hi-Fi stereo tracks, the left and right tracks on the V-meters clearly shows different levels, while when I switch to linear tracks, the V-meters levels are always the same for both channels... and I have two S-VHS recorders!

I must admit I have very few VHS cassette left, and maybe the ones I have, have not stereo linear tracks, but I'm pretty sure, back in the days, that all the commercial VHS tapes I watched (both bought and rented) on the same recorders, have only mono linear tracks, and I watched A LOT...