do you need a THX receiver to play THX movies?

[mrhata]

Does it work like DTS, in which the receiver switches on to DTS mode when the movie has DTS encoded?

Can someone elaborate on the pros of having a THX receiver compared to just a 5.1 with DTS receiver?
Thanks.

[TheFamilyMan]

If you are talking about "THX surround EX", as described here:
http://www.thx.com/mod/techlib/surroundEx.html?print=1
the answer is yes. THX in general is a certification of specific playback characteristics. There are THX test DVDs that are used to calibrate home theater systems to THX standards. Other than the above there is not any specific THX audio/video encoding that requires special playback equipment, though it is doubtful that most (if not all) HT setups that cost less the $1K will make the THX certification. Does one really need a THX certified system...no IMHO, unless you are a HT fanatic with the space and the money it requires.