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The horn seems OK, the player isn't that good and shows signs of "smooth jazz inflection" disease. He also has problems with embouchure and playing notes in tune...(as referred to in a previous post). If you are not hearing the note you are attempting to play it will be difficult or impossible to play in tune, especially in the upper range of the horn. As a beginner you should be aware of the intonation problem as this is the biggest problem starting off with a soprano. It's too easy to blame the horn and concentrate on that when you will need to concentrate on knowing the note you are trying to play and ensuring that you continually reinforce (with your embouchure) playing that note in tune. If you concentrate on mechanics and think that the right fingering = the right pitch then you're going to have some problems. Inappropriate learning/practice can develop bad habits to break that will take much longer than you think. There is no reason to think and play "mechanically" when you can establish good habits from the start by paying attention to pitch and playing in tune. Practicing intervals and arpeggios can help as you should be able to hear the pitch that you are attempting to play. Also playing tunes you know, so that you are always HEARING the note before you play it. If you are trying to sight read a lot of new material (as a beginner) then your concentration is not likely to be on your pitch. If you can read music well enough to sing the notes you read, then there is no problem. For the majority, who read mechanically, (eye sees note...finger goes to right key...no idea what pitch is gong to come out), the result is not musical. You can (better) get away with mechanical playing on the lower pitched horns, not soprano or sopranino.
