Abstract: A portable integrated videoconferencing unit has an integral housing in which an interior chamber houses an electronics board for performing video, audio, and communications processing. Integrally mounted on the housing are a video camera and preferably a microphone array for providing directive audio processing. The electronics board receives and processes video and audio outputs of the camera and microphone array respectively, and generates compressed video and audio outputs for transmission over the communications channel. The electronics board also receives compressed video conferencing signals from the channel and processes those signals to generate the appropriate video and audio signals for connection to a video monitor. Various elements are isolated from the microphones to reduce noise and vibration, and an answer bar can be mounted on the integrated unit to provide an easy known answer capability where an automatic answering mode is not desired.