That's a solution, ALV with Integrated Data Access works also for "old" databases. The only difference is in preload of data. In HANA every scroll is a separate select, so only visible data is selected.
If you don't use HANA, all data is selected into internal table (it is for sure - I've debugged into it some time ago).
So, the only requirement is 7.40, nothing else. CDS Views are also available from 7.40 for tradional databases also
Regards,
Radek