I have a Samsung SVW-5000W VCR as well as a "Black Friday Wal-Mart Special 2003" Apex DVD player that I use for overseas conversions.
The world-import.com site that Matt listed is accurate in that the Samsung VCR I have really can't produce super-high quality video, but it does the trick for game show conversions, especially for those of us who are used to watching sixth-generation video!
If you are looking for a near-digital quality VHS PAL solution, then you might go for those conversion kits but chances are if you're getting video from overseas, the Samsung VCR that I have will usually produce pretty darn good video quality.
The Samsung VCR is all-in-one in that it is a converter and player. I got mine from an eBay auction and I've had to have it serviced twice...it does not like moving at all. But it is a great thing to have and I've paid for it several times over by having the occasional eBay auction for quick conversions. (I usually charge $10 per tape, up to six hours, plus a couple extra bucks for return shipping.)
I trade with Travis Penery, and he has an amazing DVD burner that he uses to record shows for me. I play them on my simple Apex DVD player and can burn them on my Lite-On DVD recorder with no problems. Now that DVD recorders are available for about $100, you might consider suggesting that to your overseas contact and buy yourself an Apex player. With some higher-end name brand players, you'll find that they are finicky in what formats they choose to play. I have a Panasonic and a Sony at work that both won't play any DVD-R or +R discs.
Good luck!
