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Conversion from 8 mm films to AVI files is based on 3 main steps:
1. Acquiring the film strips by the scanner
2. Converting the digital strips to frames
3. Sequencing the frames into an AVI file
Step 1 is of course the slowest (and the most important, the final quality will depend on it). Steps 2 and 3 can be more easily automated (they require some time, too).
An example: 1 minute regular 8mm movie consists of 960 shots (16 fps), that can be acquired by 48 strips (assuming 20 frames per strip) in around 45 minutes (with some skill). Converting the strips will require less than 30 minutes (this still requires sitting at the computer). Sequencing the frames is mainly a batch processing, after an initial start-up, that will last 15 more minutes (you can go around). Total of 1 hour and a half, 90 times the movie duration (as a reference, Telecine services claim 3 times transfer).
But, you have small investment (you use the scanner for your photos, your 35mm etc.), the quality is the theoretical best you can obtain, you have each single frame saved as a file, and you do it at home! Is it acceptable for you? If it is, you can go ahead and read detailed instructions in the following section.
How much patience ?