Quick Q about LINEAR STEREO VCR

[cjacek]

Hi,
Can someone please tell me if it would be possible for a VCR, with only linear stereo, to playback modern tapes? What I mean is, do all factory pre-recorded VHS movie tapes also have linear stereo tracks or did manufacturers abandon that when they switched over to the Hi-Fi audio system? Or did they keep both the linear stereo and hi-fi? Reason I ask is because I found a new old stock VCR (heavy, well built - probably early 80's) locally for cheap but it'll only do linear stereo (has dolby b which can be turned on or off). I don't mind that as long as it'll playback my modern tapes in stereo.
Thanks in advance.