For 16x9 is 1080p a 'must have' to ensure image quality?

[RickW]

Is 1080p a big enough improvement to limit myself to just those projectors while shopping?

[aja]

Yes. 1080 is pretty well the minimum for that size of screen.

Think that most projectors these days are 1080. If they are less in terms of resolution you are looking at old models.

[Detroit Bill]

I agree with AJA